Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-03
nmssioners Review Of District Affairs for Year Ending June 80 1872

JIOlIIUl II
scarlet fever fell from 1,OO1 to 271, and
| smallpox from 1O1 to 80. The only one of
the reportable communicable diseases
showing any considerably increased prev
alence was diphtheria- The number of
cases of this disease rose from Az in
1910 to 61S in 1911, but the early part of
1919 showed tendency toward diminish
ed prevalence. Moreover, the increased
prevalence Of the disease in 1911 was off
set to a certain extent by the mildness
Of the prevailing form. the number of
deaths diminishing from 20 to 10, not
| withstanding the increased number of
cases.
April 2, 1912. the Commissioners pro-
mulgated regulations to prevent the
spread Of tuberculosis. They, however. are
not sufficient to take the place of legis-
laton by Congress to provide for the en-
forced segregation of consumptives, who
are, through willful ignorance or neglect,
dangerous to those who are compelled to
associate with such patients. A draft Of
the legislation necessary to accomplish
this end was submitted by the Commits
sioners. and is now pending in Congress
as "A bill to amend an act entitled AN
act to provide for the registration of all
cases Of tuberculosis in the District of
In suspected cases. and for preventing the
spread of tuberculosis in said District"
approved May ID, 1905" ((H. r. $685.; S.
1OS9) The early enactment of this meas
ure is recommended.
June Z. 1912. the Commissioners amend
ed the regulations for the preventing CT
| the spread of whooping cough, the pur-
pose of the amendment being the further
restriction of patients suffering from this
| disease when on the public streets.
The ten medical inspectors of schools
| visited schools 1888 times during the
school year. and
Medical Inspection paid thirty seven
of Schools. VISITS 10 the MONIES
nations of pupils were made numbering
| 1O.6O3. OF the pupils examined, 725 were
| found physically unfit to remain in school,
| In addition to routine inspection of
schools. the medical inspectors examined
all candidates for promotion from the
high schools to the normal schools, to de-
| termine whether they were suffering from
any bodily disease or defect that would
| incapacitate them for the duties of
teachers.
The two dental inspectors examined
| u,
ing 17.12S cavities of more or less i'm
portance, of which 9O12 had progressed
so far at the time of inspection as to need
nlling The dental inspectors made re-
examinations Of LOCO who had been
found at the first examination to have
some disease Or defect of the teeth and
contiguous parts needing treatment and
whose parents had been advised of that
TACT. In only $50 cases had the needed
treatment been given.
| Provision should he made for tho an
pointment of a medical inspector who
can devote all Of his time and energy
| to the supervision Of the medical in
SpectiOn of schools. which includes the
| work of the school dentists. The alb
| potntment of such a supervising off GER
| would. it. is believed. add greatly to
the effectiveness of the work.
Efforts heretofore made to increase
| the effectiveness of the food inspection
service have been
Food Inspection continued during
Serv;oa the year. The con-
| troll Of the milk
supply has absorbed much of the at
tention of the service, but the super
vision OF markets. stores. restaurants
ana lunchrooms, both with respect to
the sanitary condition of the esta blish-
ment and the character of the goods
sold, has not been neglected.
For the effective and economical con-
troll OF the milk supply new legislation
IS needed. such as in the judgment
embodied in bill entitled "a bill to
protect public health in the District of
Columbia by regulating the production
and sale of milk. cream and ice cream
IN IN, and for the District Of Columbia"
enactment Of this legislation is urged
by the Commissioners.
Sanitary inspectors during the fiscal
year 1S11-12 reported 1904 violations
or laws and regulations relating to
public health. and took appropriate ac-
| ton to obtain the correction Of the I'M
| lawful conditions as reported.
The continued prevalence of rabies
led the Commissioners. August 10. 1911
to extend for one year the period dur
ing which dogs are required to be
muzzled. and the occurrence of the dis
ease among cats made necessary the
PRONUNCIATION. June IL. 1912. of a regu-
iaNon authorizing the pound master to
| found running at large.
The total number of animals i'm
pounded during the year, or surren-
dered to the poundmaster during the
1852. and miscellaneous. FL OF this
number 5,01S were killed. the rest hav-
! ing been redeemed by the owners or else
Sold In accordance with the provisions
of law. The amount collected by the
IpOundmaster on account of animals
redeemed and sold was $1,828.
Samuel Einstein, who had served as
poundmaster since March %. 1873. died
| July 9. 1911. and Emil Kuhn was appoint
ed to succeed him. Mr.. Einstein's intelli-
gent. tactful and energetic administration
| Of the duties OF his Office during the
thirty-nine years of his service is worthy
| Of record as an example for others in
the public service.
The common drinking cup has very
generally been consigned to the trash
barrel, and the COM
The Common mon towel is fast
Drinking Cup. 1 1e'o~ins xa it. h in,1o-
duced In Congress to abolish the common
drinking cup in the District. being bill
entitled "A bin to prohibit the use of
drinking cups and to prevent the COM
munication Of infectious diseases" Oh. r.
7,00D. In reporting on this bill the Com
missioners stated that they were advised
that the desired end could be accom-
plished by regulations promulgated by
the Commissioners under their general
powers, and stated that as the matter
was pending before Congress the Com