Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1911-01-28
MORE DIED FROM
TUBERCULOSIS IN
1910 THAN 1903
Owing Partly, Report Shows, to
Suburbanites Coming to
Newark Hospitals.

Secretary Ernest D. Eeaston, Of the
Newark Anti-Tuberculosis Society, has
prepared the following data on deaths
from tuberculosis In 1910:
IA study of the deaths from tubercu-
losis reveals some interesting facts.
In 1909 the total number of deaths from
all forms of tuberculosis was 1874, while
the total number reported for 1910 Is
800, or an increase Of about 8 per cent.
On first thought this seems quito
alarming. In 1908, however, the num-
Der OF deaths reported was 796, 80 that
per cent. in two years time. Statistics
from many cities and states for 1903
show that the death rate in that year
was very low, being attributed by many
to the healthy conditions which pre-
vailed. Not only was 1908 free from
great extremes, but It was a year OF
great prosperity, and such conditions
tend to prolons life.
In 1910 We have not only had severe
weather changes, but this a been a
year of industrial unrest, and such
conditions have affected the health and
happiness OF thousands. 80 that many
of the in1rm who were carried over
1909 succumbed in 1910.
TT Is further asserted on good au-
thority hat doctors are diagnosing
their cases more carefully, and are re-
porting them more freely than they
have ever done before. Some evidence
of this Is seen in the fact that in 1908
SO cases were reported q general tu-
bercuiosis, while in 1910 only II were
reported as such, showing that the doc
tors are taking the trouble to diagnose
whether II Is tuberculosis of the lungs,
larynx, meninges or other forms In
stead OF merely tuberculosis In gen.
eral
Pneumonia for Tuberculosis.
Further evidence Is seer from an
where many deaths were formerly re-
ported as pneumonia or oedemia, winch
may have been the final cause of death,
while in reality 1t was tuberculosis.
Another reason for the increase in
the number of deaths from tubercu-
losis during the past year is due to the
fact that many suburban people are
taking advantage of Newark's hospitaf
facilities for the last stages of the dis
ease. This Is a wise provision to pre-
vent Infection In the home, but the re-
suit is an apparent increase In the
number of deaths which would other
wise be recorded in the suburban
I'VE must further keep in mind that
the number of deaths from all causes
has been increasing at an alarming
rate. In 1908 the mortality in New
ark was 5,2O7; in 1909. 5,529. and in 1910,
6, 1858. This shows that there was an
increase in 1909 OF So per cent over
1908, and 1913 per cent. in 1910 over the
number of deaths for the preceding
year. The number of deaths from tu-
berculosis, however, decreased 4 per
In 1909. and the increased 6 per
cent. In 1910 over 1909, but only 1S pei
cent. over 1908, which is a very credita-
BILE showing when 1t is taken Into con-
sideration that Newark Is increasing
in population from ten to twenty thou
sand a year.
If, instead of taking the population OF
Newark as a standar (Which Is an ever
f~uctuating quantity. we TAKE the num-
Der of deaths and establish a nominal
death rate of 1, 1856 per loo, 900 for each of
the vars 1908, 1909 and 1910, and then
compute the death rate from tubercu-
losis on this same basis, We find a de-
creasing rate of Zoo per 100, 900 in 1908;
$40 per 100. 900 in 1909 and 225 per 100000
In 1910. So, in spite of better diagnos-
ing and the more freely reporting of
cases by our physicians, we find that
the death rate from tuberculosis in
comparison with the deaths from all
cases Is decreasing at a phenomenal
rate.
Much Needed to stamp 1t Out.
The warfare against this disease is
not that of one year., two years or even
five years; nor is 1t the work OF one
person or one organization to perform.
When doctors report cases freely; when
there are sufficient nurses to visit pa
tients In their homes and give them
timely Instructions; when boards Of
health enforce the health code as to the
splitting ordinance, lodging-house in
spection and other health measures;
when boards of works give us cleaner
streets with less di~sease-laden dust:
when there are fewer d~isease-breeding
terements and not so many dirty back
yards; when factories, department
stores and shops are clean. wholesome
and we'll ventilated; hen employees
receive sufficient wages upon which 10
live decentiy and support their fami-
lies without overwork; when all indi-
viduals conceive 1t as their duty to
themselves and their families to pre-
vent infection in all ways possible and
to restore the bodily vigor with plenty
of God and sleep; when homes, factories,
street cars and all indoors have suttl-
Gent sunshine fresh air; when all
of these conditions are fulfilled we a
expect a rapid decrease in the death
rate from tuberculosis and in the end
we may hope for the ultimate elimina-
ton of all infectious and contagious
diseases from our midst.
ERNEST s. EATON, Elk. Sec'y.