The Detroit times., 1917-01-17
Health Officer Reports
1t Claimed 1858
In 1916
HEART DISEASE
A CLOSE SECOND
Poor Housing COndi-
tons Held RespOn-
sible For Showing

In the annual report OF Health
oficer Price he has disre garded the
figures on the population OF Deirol,
supplied by the gcyernmept census
bureau and has accepted those OF
the water board for the year 1916.
The reason for this H. that he cen
kuK bureau estimates IT, increases
on tho previous 10 years average
gain, while Il j. generally admitted
that Detroit grew much more rapid
~ between 1907 and 1910 than IL did
during the preceding sven years. 30
that a lo-year average in this case
would not give fair average OF in.
crease
Accepting the water board figures
OF population. which for 1910 was
725 900, tho death rate was l5.e per
1000 population. but II based upon
upon the governments estimate Of
b7l.1si the death rate was four high.
or or TO- Based on the government
figures the ,0o5 deaths which oc-
brought about the highest death rate
within the last four years at least
while II the water board figures are
accepted the rate IL lower than that
OF 1919. which vas l5.S. according
tC the water board figures and i7.3
based on the government estimate.
The health board report contains
numerous tables. showing the num-
Der Of cases and the number OF
deaths II any from practically every
known disease and The increase or
decrease in The rate compared With
recent yeas The following dis
eases caused the greatest number of
deaths Diphthcria and Group. 80
tuberculosis ~ all kinds. 9l2 can.
Ger. 4ei. csrebro apoplcxy. $50. or
ganic disease 81 The heart, 9is
pneumonia and bronchopneumonia.
,35s.
The report says:
Tn. outstanding feature ~ these
tables i the marked increase in total
deaths and from certain particular
causes during 1915 and 1918. Prsc-
ticsily the same system 81 adrniniS-
trstion prevailed in the office during
both years. such changes as were
made in 1915 being IN the nature OF
improved working methods which
permitted increased efficiency and
the accomplishment % greater vol
urnc Of work by several ~ the de-
partments. Thus. free cultures anti
toxin and messenger service we've
available In both years and were
shown BY the fact that the labora..
tory made ts.T3S examinations ~
throat cultures in 1915 as against
ao.i?0 IN 1915. an increase ~ ~ per
ease increased from iiS in 1915 20
2ss In 1918. The deaths from tuoer-
sulosis inereas.d q FER cent there
against 75s In 1915, sltho the anti
tuherculosis activities OF the ofnce
continued the same, In fact about 70
able in 1915. and the reports OF the
nurses indicate much greater
amount OF work ACCOMPLISHED. Meas
1es shows great increase In deaths.
has been stated in several previous
pubiicstions. Increase In those dis
Eases may be ex ected TO occur az
regular intervals se new group OF
pusceptibles grows w. Influenza.
pneumonia broncho- and
heart disease show marked increas"
IN deaths likewise smallpox In csses
Tho extremely hot summer OF 1915
vas reflected In the increase In deaths
from cffeciH ~ heat which was also
Responsible FOR tho great incrceHs
pf dizrrhcai diseases under two years.
Two factors contributed 10 this
sxcesSivc morhidiiy and mortality
during 1875 over 1915.
First Tho Strip" like epidemic.
Second The great inNu1 or nev
Residents - Detroit within recent
years Tor whom no adequate whole
rome housing facilities eNtE'. sys-
en- OF cvercrowding and insanitsry
bsbita'iors wlth intimacy ~ contact
vas thereby cre"fod whirh waited
ipor IN" tho Introduction OF viru-
ent Infection o. develop and main
ain general "ridemic.
Control - building AMI occuaancy
n the interest - 80 subtle hfalth
= essential - acro1erItth lower
1eath rate NJ D"'roIf r.taiu 80 0res-
mt density 49, unpuia' 'r ~i'a con-
rol would ~ u.ces-ltt 90 urH'rfsksn
n precisely tho same splt and IN
much the same manner ~ other ac-
tvitics that have been produce ttn %
reat sanitary reforms the climina-
lon Of yellow fever from HAVANA
nalaria from the Canal Xono. bu-
lonic plague from New Orleans and
Uphold and dysentery from army