Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1915-11-13
DR.. FISHER DELIVERS
MASTERFUL ADDRESS
AT SIX O'CLOCK CLUB

1918. Month by month. These analyses
show that the water has been wonder
fully free from disease producing
germs, and that no mater where the
water supply was secured, it could not
have been much purer. AS to the eff
ficiency of the filteration, we can
judge something when we consider the
following facts: the number of bac
terra in the river water per C. c. was
HOO (on an average). The number of
bacteria in the filtered water was so
per c. c. The efficiency is thus shown
to be 95.5 per cent. This is a good
enough showing to warrant us in say
ing that Salem water is comparatively
safe, and while it is not as cool and
satisfying as it could be, there should
be no necessity to 60 to Independence
for a beverage to promote good health.
During the past two years there have
been several cases Of typhoid, but they
have been traeeable to other sources
than the city water.
The analyses made from water pro-
cured from the various wells in the city
really show considerable percentage
of bacterial pollution. These analyses
can be consulted by anyone so disposed
and they 90 to show that it is safer to
use the city water than that from wells
within the city. / am inclined to think
that it is far better financially and
for the health of the city to boost for
the efforts Of the company to keep the
city water supply as pure, or if pos
sible, purer than now, than to advocate
the change Of supply with the added
expense to the taxpayers. A regular
investigation Of the water supply and
an analyses made before and after
liberation would be plan Of proceed
ure the Health Department Of the city
should follow and undoubtedly does.
The death rate in Salem proper, outside
Of the State institutions, is lower than
that of any other city of its size in the
western states. There were III deaths
in Salem last year. This does not in
clnde those from the State institutions
and shows a death rate of nearly ten
per thousand. This seems rather high
but it includes those brought here, who
have died in ospitals. If this were de-
Quoted our death rate would be much
lower than the average city of this
size.
The principal causes Of death last
year were as follows: Cancer and heart
disease have first place with II to
their credit each; senility IA; tubercul'
osis 10. pneumonia and apoplexy 9th
place. One may say that many cases
of heart disease are due to eating too
much and especially too much meat, so
that by giving some attention to diet,
we might cut down the number OF
deaths from heart disease. 1t may be
said of cancer that there is positive
precancerOus state in four-fifths of the
cases, which if recoved would lessen
the number of cancers and cancer
deaths. | advise all who have not
read it, to read the article on cancer
by Samuel Hopkins Adams, in the
Ladies Home Journal for May, 1913
Old age can hardly be deferred ex'
cept by adhering more rigidly to a
vegetable diet. This plan of living
offers the best chance for increasing
our wears. On the contrary we find
that the nations subsisting on vegetble
food are not possessed Of as active
mentality as those using mixed diet
They do not evolve or originate in the
same proportion but endure hardship'
better.
tuberculosis holds third place as O
cause of death in Salem. The rules
Of the association for the study ant
prevention Of tuberculosis should be fol
lowed to the letter. DR.. G. c. Bellingei
of the state tuberculosis sanatoriun
will be glad to furnish these rules to al
who desire them.
Next to the water supply OF city
with regard to proper precautions t
prevent contamination, is the food sup
ply, and included in this is milk. A
little over q year ago campaign wa'
started to exterminate the fly. i be
| leye that the plan was to follow Ger
tain line Of study and agitation on The
subject and in six years have a flyles'
/ Oregon. Nearly everyone knows OF
the good work of our commercial clul
land the work Of the school children
too) and of the flattering results. Their,
are few huse wives in Salem but woult
tell lou that they have been bothered
less this year by flies than ever be
fore in Oregon.
This last spring less was said or don,
publicly, but still we swatted tn,
! lily" faithfully during tne summer
Now the winter months are coming, ant
the season is not the period when mos
persons are likely to take measures Il
prevent the breeding Of flies. Yet thu
pest Is really more annoying now thar
earlier in the summer, but il is during
the summer that the wish is so Otter
heard that preventive precautions nat
been taken In one city not far away
during the course Of inspection by tn,
health officer in January, Of heap o.
manure, dirt and rubbish not far from |
public school, rather startling stat
of affairs was revealed. The heap o
manure was found partly covered will
tar paper and rubbish in which, despit
tae cold weather--and there had beer
not long before, series Of cold days
flies were observed to be actively breed
ing. This emphasizes the importance o
properly caring for rubbish, etc, AM
teaches US anewwhy the fly is Away
with us. When 1t is recalled how mucl
the absence of this pest would meal
to the children alone, ii should not b.
long before there is a general awaken
ing to the necessity Of taking the nov
well recognized precautions during tn
winter, that will secure great Limitation
If not obliteration, of fly breeding
| believe there is an ordinance i
Salem requiring the protection Of ex
noaaA x.Aiyntah hleu From vArmin of yarl