Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-03
HEALTH Department.

During the calendar year 1911, $500
deaths occurred. equivalent to q death
rate of 1880 per thousand per annum.
Among the white population 8, 739 deaths
occurred. death rate 14.61. and among the
colored 1854 deaths, death rate 2612.
These are the lowest death rates ever re-
corded in the District of Columbia. There
was gratifying decrease. too, in the
death rate among infants in the first year
Of life, which fell from 1920 per 1000 re-
ported births in 1910 to 1890 per LOCO
reported births in 1911. Seven diseases
caused 3, 40 deaths. or 81 per cent Of all:
Pulmonary tuberculosis. 724; diseases Of
the heart. 636; pneumonia. 5SS: Brght's
growths, $50, and diarrheal diseases
among children under two years of age.
PSI. The records show, however. that the
prevalence OF pulmonary tuberculosis and
of diarrheal diseases of infancy is stead
lily declining. Unfortunately, pneumonia
continues about as prevalent as ever. and
the remainder Of this group are becom-
ing more and more prevalent.
The first six months of the calendar
year 1912, being the latter half of the As
cal year to which this report relates.
show tendency toward an increased
death rate. The number of deaths during
the period stated was 3,2J7, while the
number occurring during the correspond
The increase is due to an increase in
deaths from pulmonary tuberculosis, from
1865 to 400: diarrheal diseases among chill
dren. from % to 81. and whooping cough.
Is to 3D. Owing to the shortness Of the
period to which these figures relate, how
ever, they must not be given too much
weight in determining the general health
funess of the District.
During the calendar year 1911 there
were recorded 1882 live births and 5O4
stillbirths, equivalent to birth rates of
1886 and LAO. respectively, per thousand
per annum. computed upon the basis Of
! the entire population.
The Commissioners call attention to the
bill now pending in the House Of Repre-
sentatives to amend the
Additional law relative to the re-
e.. porting of births so as to
o'~'As'l0s' require more prompt re-
ports, being entitled "A bill to amend an
act entitled An act to provide for the bet
ter registration Of births in the District
of Columbia. and for ither purposes ap-
proved March 1. 1907" Oh. r. 1893: s.
| 1879 The early reporting of births Is
necessary il the most effective aid is to
be extended to mothers in need Of help in
caring for their offspring. and the re-
quiring Of greater promptness in maxi
| ing reports will impose no hardship on
those on whom the burden falls. This bill
has passed the Senate and is now pending
in the House of Representatives. Its
early enactment is urged.
AS step toward safeguarding the lives
| of newly born infants, the Commissioners
on August %. 1911, promulgated regu-
lation requiring that the health officer be
notified Of the occurrence Of sore eyes
| in recently born babies, no registered
physician being in attendance. Opera
| tons under this regulation have already
amply justified its PRONUNCIATION.
| The most conspicuous feature Of the
morbdity record for the calendar year
| was the large number
Communicable OF cases of measles.
| n;..o... 3.44S. as against PAL
during the preceding
year. Only p deaths. however. were re.
ported. The outbreak extended into the
early part OF 1912. but with a strong
tendency to decline.
! Reported cases Of communicable forms
OF tuberculosis fell from 1.5l4 in 1910 to
1.224 in 1911. but the number Of fatal
cases recorded rose from 760 to oO2.
Cases Of typhoid fell from TIC to $50;