The Prescott daily news., 1915-01-09
ARKANSAS HAS 27.759
 BIRTHS AND 14,642 DEATHS
Bureau of Statistics Disproves Theo- ry That State is not Healthful- Only 6 Counties Report More
 Deaths Than Births.

Little Rock, Jan. 9.-Accordng to statistics compiled in the office of the State Board of Health there occurred in the state from Feb. 1, to Dec. 1 | 1914, total of 27,759 births and 14,- 642 deaths, (which is most creditable and will go far to disprove the long held theory that Arkansas is not healthful state." Only six counties, Crittenden, Jefferson, Garland, Lee, Phillips, and Pulaski, reported more deaths than births, fact that is read fly accounted for by certain local con ditions.
 It has been found difficult in the beginning for the Bureau of Vital Sta tistics to secure anything like com plete reports of births and deaths from all the counties, but this condi- tion is improving. It has been found that tuberculosis is responsible for more deaths than any other disease, with malaria a close second. While the records show few deaths from pei lagra, the morbidity reports show that the disease is prevalent in every coun- ty in the state and is rapidly increas- ing. The disease is more or less sus- 'ceptible to control through the adop- tion of sanitary measures.
 The Board of Health makes the fol- lowing recommendations
 That the Pure Food Act of 1907, now under the supervision of the Az ricultural Commissioner, be amended so that it shall be more effective and self-sustaining.
 That provision be made for ade- quate equipment of laboratory.
 That provision be made for sani- tary inspector of hotels, boarding houses and all public places.
 That an individual clerk be provid ed for the Bureau of Vital Statistics. That the State Health Officer be given an adequate salary so that he may give his entire time to the du- ties of the office.
 Special attention has been given to | the examination and treatment of rab- ies. Formerly it was necessary for persons bitten by mad-dogs to visit some Pasteur Institute at great ex- pense, but forty-two persons have re- ceived this treatment free under su- pervision of the Board of Health. The Board holds that vaccination is safe and sane precaution against small pox, and if this regulation were carried out it would be a matter of only short time until the state would be practically immune.
 The Hygienic Laboratory, in con- nection with the Board of Health, per forms most important functions. Its services are free to the people, all eX- aminations being made without charge and during the past year over one thousand examinations were made.
 "The policy of the Board thus far says the report, "has been one of watchful waiting, preferring to use patience and suasion until the public famaliarizes and adjusts itself to some extent to the new regulations. Every well-informed, intelligent cit izen recognizes the importance of pro- per effective health measures and the necessity of of their execution. A states greatest asset is her people and the peoples greatest asset is good health, and in order to correct a few existing defects and irregularities now in the way of fulfilling to the high est degree the functions of the State Board of Health, few minor changes are needed"
 The Hookworm Commission did eff fective work in the state but with drew Dec. 31, 1914.