The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-01-20
health OFFICER Alarmed
At Low Rate Of BIRTHS


continued FROM E1Fst rage.
the Health Bureau that the time is not
far off, if not now at hand, when it
will be impossible, no matter what
means are used, to reduce further the
death rate. DR.. Raunick has this to
say on the important subject:
Approaching Minimum Death Rate
while our statistics show many
important and favorable changes, we
must consider that while the death rates
can show regular decline, sooner or
later certain standard of death rate
will be reached, below which a lower
ing of the community death rate will be
impossible, for despite rapidly advanc-
ing sanitary methods, deaths will neces-
sarily follow increasingly, through the
many natural ills of man over which
science cannot expect to be triumphant.
" AS result of net increase of only
SO births over last year, our birth
rate, while the highest in the history
of the bureau. is so significant as to
cause grave alarm in the very near fu-
ture on this all important NATTER
The health officer points out that
when the department was organized ten
years ago money was provided with
which to employ two sanitary officers,
and that Notwithstanding the fact that
the city steadily has grown, no pro-
vision has been, made for necessary ad-
ditional officers.
The need of amending the laws gov
erning the food inspection so as to in
clude oysters, fish and poultry, is point
ed out, and it is also recommended
that the Sealer of Weights and Meas
ures should cooperate with the Food
Inspectors especially while they both
are engaged in the city markets.
Cost of Flooded Cellars
When the Susquehanna river rises
to or near the flood stage, the cellars
of homes in the low sections of the
First and Second wards become flooded
and the bureau argues this is one of the
causes for breeding disease and that it
places burden of expense on the San
itary Department which is obliged to
have the cellars emptied.
After praising the city's sewerage
system reference is made to the need
for legislation abolishing the disease
breeding outdoor toilets. Many COM
plants have been received by the
Health Department, the report shows,
dealing with the alleged irregular col
lection of garbage and ashes and this
subject is touched upon by the health
officer, who contends that the difficult
ties cannot alone be laid at the door of
the garbage collector, the Pennsylvania
Reduction Company. This is what he
says:
Much as we deplore unsatisfactory
garbage collections, careful unbiased
investigation proves that while both
parties to the contract are at fault,
the most important point 20 the solu-
ton of this vexing problem rests prin-
cipally with the public, upon whom, in
accordance with the present ten-year
contract entered into seven years ago,
are imposed certain obligations which.
We submit, are equally as essential as
those of the contractor.
To Aid the Garbage Collectors
So In order to facilitate and. make
possible more satisfactory collections.
we would suggest that the use of ali
sorts of boxes, baskets, etc, as ash or
garbage reeeptacles, not only is to be
condemned as unsanitary and contrary
to contract, but requires useless waste
of time and energy in handling, all of
which could and should be eliminated
by the use of separate covered regula-
tion receptacles. "
Taking up the housing question the
report says:
''While we do not have to deal with
the tenement house problems as do
other cities investigations we made re-
Gently disclose conditions equally as
bad, due to the Capitol Park extension
and the downtown operations for the
railroad warehouse.
The tenants from these affected dis
tricts are crowding into already badly
congested districts ana to-day we are
confronted with housing problems, the
reality and Importance of which are
beyond question"
The plan to publish at regular in
tervals health bulletin giving condi-
tions just as they exist, is to be follow
ed this year, so the health officer points
out, and the first issue of the paper will
appear in few weeks.
The board again points out the need
for municipal hospital where patients
suffering from contagious and infectious
diseases may be isolated and treated.
1t is argued that if such hospital were
established it would mean financial
saving to the city, the county and the
families of the persons who become ,af-
ficted.
On the quarantine question the
health officer declares that children
who are barred from schools because
of home quarantine for disease frequent
other public places and that this makes
the work of the department difficult
with the result that those breaking
quarantine must be prosecuted.
Central High School Unhealthful
After favorably commenting on the
fact bhat overhead wires and poles
have been removed "mueh to the safe