The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-05-29
C|Ty'S HEALTH IS
LUNCHEON SUBJECT
RESULTS ACCOMPLISHED ny THAT
DEPARTMENT HAVE BEEN
WONDER OF SOUTH.
NEED OF MORE FUNDS
1sOLEMN THOUGHT" SAYS DIR.
LEVY, aFOR MEN TO PERISH
BECAUSE THE LIFE LINE
Is TOO SHORT,

Declaring that the results accom-
plished by Richmond's health depart
ment in the eight years Of its ex-
istence had been the wonder of the
South, DIR. Douglas Freeman. of the
State health department, paid glowing
tribute yesterday afternoon in opening
the "table-talk" luncheon at the Bush
ness Mems club, to DR.. e. c. Levy the
chief health officer and his assistants.
DR.. Levy. whom he introduced as the
principal speaker of the occasion.
modestly cited some facts and figures
| which showed that Dr. Freeman's tri-
butte was by no means fulsome.
Both made earnest plea for closer
cooperation on the part of the Cit
liens of Richmond with the work of
the health department, and both
pointed out the urgent need of more
liberal appropriations to carry on the
s1sna l Es of preventing disease and
Life Line Too Short.
'.It is solemn thought to one In
my position" said DIR. Levy, Ito real
lie that our Organization Is so handi-
capped by lack OF funds. We are
saving human life and preventing suf-
2
and yet we must stand helpless and
see many perish in sight of the shore
| because the line is just a little too
short to reach them"
DIR. Freeman, in his Introductory
remarks, deplored the lack of init
mate knowledge on the part of the
citizens with the work of the health
department. "Only in the strength of
the results do we realize what there
was to do. and what has been
achieved" In eight years. he said,
the city health department had re-
duced the mortality from typhoid
/ fever from n $40 per cent to II $40.
| Comparisons with Northern cities he
thought unfair for the reason that the
large negro population of Southern
cities foster the spread of the disease
and create entirely different condi-
tons from those found In the North.
so he gave some comparisons between
/ Richmond and other Virginia cities as
an evidence of the health depart
| ments work.
Richmond Leads State.
For example. the mortality in DAN
Vile is 57.3; in Lynchburg, 40; in
Norfolk, sac; and in Petersburg, $50;
while Richmond shows l7.s. This
wonderful result in preventing disease
AZ
on an average expenditure of $4,000
per annum, and he declared earnestly
that no sum had ever yielded such
splendid results. Not only In typhoid,
but in diphtheria and other communt-
cable disease had the city health de-
partment shown its hand. by reducing
the mortality and raising the standard
the Richmond's health. and its rigid
system of inspection had resulted in
giving this city milk supply that
has been pronounced by experts the
best in the world. We shall get just
as good public health as we are will
ing to pay for" said DIR. fireman.
Even greater results are possible II
the money is Forthcoming to prosecute
the work"
A Business Proposition.
Or: Levy put the health depart
value Of which can hardly be over
nssss ooknr ,or new enter
he declared" do not confine their In
quiries as to city's advantages solely
to the tar rate rate and and shipping adysn-
was what It used to BE- osA six f or e hIw
years ago we we couldn't s induce new
he cited figures to show that In eight
years the death rate from malaria in
Richmond has been reduced from 20
per cent in every 100000 in habltants
to per cent
The average annual death rate from
| typhoid fever for the twenty six years
preceding reorganization of the Rich
mond health department in 1906 was
| 77.S per 100000 Inhabitants. In only
four Of these years did the rate fall
| below SO per 100000, and the lowest
rate for any year during this period
was +S.5 per 100000. The average an
nual death rate for the six full years
| following reorganization has been 2S.6
per 100, 900 Inhabitants. while the aver
age rate for the past four. years has
been goa per 100000. In no year dur
ing this latter period has the rate
been as high as so per 100000.
Postmaster Allan Welcomed.
Postmaster Edgar Allan Jr, a popu-
lar member OF the club, made his first
public appearance at the luncheon yes
terday after his long and critical III
ness and was given a hearty and cor
he entered. Called upon Tor a speech
Postmaster Allan told the business
men Of his interest in the work OF
the health department and gave as
surance Of his hearty cooperation and
! support botn as postmaster and citizen.
The luncheon was well attended,
the menu appetizing. the subject well
handled-many pronouncing 1t the best
| of the series to date, and Dr. Douglas
Freeman made a most excellent presid
| ing officer. The next luncheon In the
series will be held next "Wednesday
| afternoon at 1880,