The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-10-16
HEALTH EXHIBIT
FROM RICHMOND
DR.. Levy Showed Visitors How
We Have Cut Down Death
Rate From Typhoid.
OPENED EYES OF COUNCIL
Out OF Every Dollar Expended
by City. Health Department
Got Only 1.3 Cents.

The exhibit made by the Richmond
Health Department at the State Fair
last week was the subject of favor
able comment on all hands. Though
not possible to represent all the helds
of activity in which the Health De-
partment is engaged, still the selec
ton of subjects and the manner of
their representation were such as TO
be q revelation TO the average visitor.
Photographs. diagrams and specimens
OF various kinds were shown in such
a WY as to Impress the observer with
the Importance of the work, and with
the successful manner in which it is
being prosecuted.
A special edition of two pamphlets
were distributed, one of these being
THE Richmond Health Department as
Municipal Investment" and the other
being Summary OF the Work of the
Richmond Health Department." In
the first OF these. it was shown that
during the year 1910 the work of the
Richmond Health Department in CON
rection with typhoid fever alone saved
the city sSs5.200. while its total ex-
penditure for all purposes during the
same year was s9I,S35, or less than
one-tenth of the amount saved in con-
nection with one disease.
In the second of the above men
toned pamphlets the work of the
Richmond Health Department is BRIEF
~ summarized under fifteen headings:
Vital statistics, Contagious Diseases,
AntitoXin, Smallpox. tuberculosis
Quarantine. archaeological Laboratory,
Infant Mortality, Food inspection
Dairy Inspection, Plumbing Inspection.
Sanitary Inspection. Mosquito Work
Flies. and Popular Education.
Typhoid Death Rate.
Two of the most striking diagrams
in the exhibit illustrated the pho
nomenal decrease in the death rate
from typhoid fever under the present
organization of the Richmond Health
Department The nrst of these din
grams shows that for the past two
years the death rate from typhoid
fever has been less than one half of
the lowest rate in any previous year. |
and only little over one fourth of
tho average rate for all previous
years. The second diagram shows
that in the year 1854 one death n
every fifty-three in the city OF Rich
mond was due to typhoid fever: that
reorganization OF the Health Depart
ment (lSSO19O5, inclusivel o death
in every 129 was due TO typoid fever:
that in the four years following re-
organizat on of the Health Depart
ment G9o7-i9lo, inclusivel one death
in every 292 was due TO typoid fever,
and that for the past two years l9Os
and 1870 only one death in every i35
was due 10 this disease
In. Ia
able reduction in the death rat of
scarlet fever and diphtheria
Another series of cards shows the
work OF the bacteriological iabora tory
In connection with the diagnosis OF
diphtheria, typhoid fever, matarial
fever and tuberculosis, The outfits
which are used are shown, the method
of examination is fully described, and
the microscopic appearance of positive
ana negative specimens is graphically
illustrated.
Economically Operated.
The immense improvement in the
public milk supply is Illustrated by
photographs oE. conditions found whom
the work Qf dairy inspection was
started four years ago, and others
showing conditions at the present
time. y full set of blue prints is ey
hibited' such as are furnished all milk
producers who wish to have model
dairy pMnts. Another feature which
has attracted much attention is the
exhibit o. the actual breeding OF flies
and mosquitoes.
In this connection one feature OF
the exhibit is most impressive After
eng the evidence Of the excellent
work which tho Richmond Health
Department is doing. it comes as a
great surprise TO see that al this is