Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-08-11
DISEASE KEPT DOWN
Statistics Show Benefit of Fly
Crusade.
LESS TYPHOID REPORTED
Also Fewer Cases of Summer Com
plant Among Infants.
PRIZES FOR SEASONS WORK
Awards to Be Made at End Of Sum-
mer for the Entire
Campaign.
LESS TYPHOID REPORTED


Statistics made public by the health de-
terday are believed to establish conclu
sively the fact that The Stars fly war ha.
been one of the greatest factors ever EN-
ployed for improving the health condi
tons of the National Capital.
There have been fewer cases of both
typhoid fever and summer complain,
among infants under two years of age
The health authorities say that if fewer
flies are responsible for a reduction in the
number of typhoid fever cases it must
follow that there is less summer COM
plant among infants, as flies are COM
mon source of origin for the diseases
The fact that both maladies have been
reported in decreased numbers, which is
augmented by statistics showing that the
infant mortality rate also has decreased,
leads the health authorities to believe
that the tremendous slaughter OF flies in
The Stars campaign primarily is respon-
sible for this improved condition in the
city's health.
Less Summer Diseases.
DR.. Arthur L. Murray Of the depart
ment, who is supervisor of the fly war.
made public the figures dealing with the
improved showing in typhoid fever and
summer complaint diseases. In 1909. from
May ] to the middle Of August, 375 cases
of typhoid fever were reported to the
local health department. In 1910, for the
same period, the number was 297, and in
1911, 24O. This year. so far, the nuhmber
is but 21S, or twenty-five less than for
the corresponding period year ago.
The biggest reduction is in the summer
complaint maladies. In 1909, for the
period above mentioned, the number of
cases of this nature reported to the de-
partment was 143 In 1910 it was 1913. and
in 1911, 124. This year. SO far. but 81
cases of summer complaint among infants
under two years of age have been report
ed. The reduction of forty-three cases
is the largest ever recorded
In 1909 662 infants under one year of
age died before the middle of August.
In 1910 the number was 665 and in 1911
576. The record for the present year, so
far, shows 564 deaths, or twelve less than
for the same period last year.
Says Flies Distribute Germs.
Speaking Of the situation, DR.. Murray
said:
Typhoid fever is due to a specific
germ. Flies undoubtedly are the great
est distributors of this germ. Summer
complaints among infants are believed
to be due to specific organisms which
flies pay an important part in distribut-
ing. Had there been a reduction in ty-
phoid fever cases without a correspond
ing one in summer complaint cases there
might have been some doubt as to what
extent the slaughter of flies was re-
sponsible for It, But there scarcely can be
any doubt that the reduced number of
insects this summer furnishes the real
reason for the improved health condi-
lions, now that the two principal diseases
which have a common source of origin
in the fly are shown to shave been held
in check this summer"
DR.. William c. Woodward, health off,
Ger of the District, expressed satisfac-
ton upon being shown the statistics COM
pairing health conditions in Washington
from May to the present time with the
corresponding period Of year ago. He
said the fly campaign undoubtedly has
been big factor in preventing the de-
velOpment of such diseases as typhoid
fever and infants complaints.
1t is expected that the remarkable
showing will be made the subject Of q
special health department bulletin, so
that other cities which are interested
in fly campaigns may have an oppor-
tunity to find out the beneficial results
they are capable Of accomplishing.
The fly crusade last month resulted
in the determination Of nearly IL, 0OO, 900
OF the insects.
This large slaughter has prevented the
development of millions Of the insects this
month and those that are in existence are
being hunted down in every section of
the city by The Stars crusaders Large
prizes again will be offered to the most
successful "swatters'' at the end of the
present month and, in September, grand
prizes for the entire campaign, ranging
in value from 500 down. will be awarded.