The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1914-04-16

Many interesting facts in regard to
the health situation in Kenosha and the
work that is being done by the health
board are made public in the annual re-
port Of DIR. John j. McShane, commits
sioner of public health, which has been
filed with the city clerk. The report
covers the year from April LIST, 1913, to
March 3lst, 1914.
In submitting the statistical report,
DR.. McShane says
cit is with great satisfaction that
/ call your attention to the continued
advancement in the work of the Keno
sha health department, both in the
direct saving of life and the prevention
of disease, and also in those Of it's ac-
tivities, though not having direct bear
ing in this direction, are assigned to
us for supervision. Most interesting is
comparison between death rates of
this and last year. From April LIST,
1912 to july LIST, 1912, 1886; in 1913,
247; decrease of SO deaths.
During the year there were but four
teen eases of scarlet fever with no
deaths, showing a large decrease from
April LIST, 1912 to March 31st 1913,
when we mad thirtyfve deaths.
During the year we had twelve cases
of diphtheria with two deaths. The
mortality rate is too high, inasmuch as
with the proper use of antitoxin in the
earlier stages the disease is seldom ia
tai One of the cases came from Chi
caoo and died shortly after arriving
in Kenosha.
During the spring Of 1913 we had q
large number of cases of measles due
to the fact that great many people
believe every child must, sooner or lat
en-, have measles, and in thinking this
they maintained no quarantine, the
children ran at large, and the disease
spread. The same may be said of
whooping cough In the first stages it
is hard to make a diagnosis, and in the
meantime the children go to school, to
church and to shows, thereby causing
the sprea, of this disease. These two
oartment has to combat.
This year we have had two outbreaks
of smallpox; last spring we had two
homes under quarantine; this winter
we had several. Owing to the mild
ness of the disease physicians were not
called people were roaming around
with the disease, and working in fac
tories. Later we were able to locate
some of the people and quarantine
them. The spread of the disease was
limited by the number of working peo-
pie being vaccinated, and also by the
vaccinating of school children. We
have had about seventy six cases dur
ing the year with no deaths.
During tie past year we have had
sixteen deaths from tuberculosis, three
less than last year, but still this is too
many in the face of what we know in
regard to the prevention of this disease.
1T was hoped that we would have a
county sanatorium to care for the cases
we have ON our list. Many of these
cases are beyond the stages where they
may be admitted to Wales, and must
remain at home and be danger to the
people in these homes
During the year we had thirteen
deaths from typhoid fever, which is too
many considering that this is a pre-
ventable disease. In nearly every case
the people were using lake water. Most
of these eases happened during the time
the water was so high in bacteria con-
tent, but there is no doubt in my mind
that with the chlorination plant which
is now in use, we viii have very little
typhoid in our midst
Bakeries.
During the last year great strides
have been made in regard to the bak-
cries. In nearly every case the bak-
ers have complied with the ORDERS and
with the appointment this spring of Mr..
Bauchele and Mr.. Norregaard, two of
the bakers in the city to help make
inspections of bakeries, no doubt our
bakeries will compare favorably in
cleanliness and yholesomeness with
any bakery in the state.
lhe mix supply OF kenosha has i'm
proved wonderfully, and in no instance
has the butter fat been below that re-
quired by the state law. In some in
stances the milk has not always been as
clean as it should be, and these diaries
and farmers are notified to remedy
same. 1t is hoped that in a short time
the use of cans will be entirely abol-
ished. Four of the city daires have in
stalled pasteurizing plants this year.
Infant Mortality
Last summer a special effort was
made to lower the infant mortality, as
the death rate among infants under one
year is everywhere too high, fact
readily recognized by all. Our plan is
to instruct mothers in. the proper way
tn care for food IF hnf4Ia fod hob; -