Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1915-09-23

* @IwhtAr1h INSTRUCT BuRtAuVss0eNY
S.sMS/ h.EDEARno1h o. DIRECTOR ~
WATCH THE DISEASE MOON.

"AIS0 OISEfASE WYNN
A contagious disease almanac"
which shows the waxing and waning OF
certain diseases instead of the CORE
spending changes in the moon has been
prepared by this Bureau for the purpose
of forecasting possible epidemics and to
provide seasonable warning and "dan-
ger signals for Wisconsin people. 1t
covers the most important preventable
diseases in Wisconsin and shows by
months when they are most prevalent
and when least to be feared. The in
formation should be of practical value
/ to parents, teachers and health officers.
! Did you chance to know, for instance,
that January brings the largest number
of deaths from diptheria and Group OF
any months in the year, that it is one of
three for the maximum number of cases
of whooping cough, and is the begin
ming OF the scarlet fever danger season?
Typhoid alone, of all the leading infec-
tious diseases which cause death in
Wisconsin, is on the wane during this
month, which marks the developing of
many cases Of measles and the recogni-
ton of many cases of tuberculosis.
Much of interest and value is to be
gained by consulting this almanac
which is based on accurate scientific
knowledge. According to it's tabulation,
the closing months of the year call for
unusual vigilance in guarding against
disease. The real danger from typhoid
fever begins in September with great
increase in both cases and deaths. Oc-
tober shows continued increase in
number of cases and in mortality and in
November the climax in both cases and
deaths is reached. December shows a
decrease in both cases and deaths, al
though the calendar proves typhoid to
be practically an all-year round prob
! lem.
September shows a decrease in mea-
sles and scarlet fever, but there is a
marked increase in October and Nov
ember There are fewer deaths but
more cases of measles in October, while
in the following month the real danger
time begins with great increase in
both the number of cases and mortality.
Measles continues it's increase in the
number of cases and deaths in Decem
Der, but this month marks decrease in
the number of cases of scarlet fever.
The disease is more severe, however,
and the mortality higher.
Whooping cough, which has its great
est death record in January, February,
March and April, and its lowest in June
and August. begins increasing in Sept
ember, shows decrease in mortality IN
October but an increase in number of
cases and a decrease in both cases and
deaths in November. There are fewer
cases but slightly higher percentage Of
deaths in December.
October ranks next to January for
deaths from diptheria and Group. De-
cember is third and November fourth in
mortality from these diseases. Tuber
culosis, which invariably shows it's lar
gest number of reported cases and
deaths during the quarter-year which
includes April, May and June, begins
its annual increase in October. Nor
tally from this disease is high both in
November and December, also in
March, which is one of the chief months
for high reports of cases and deaths.
These diseases might all be wiped out
of existence by proper sanitation and
strict quarantine. The almanac points
out the danger periods. 1t remains for
an enlightened people to do away with
them.