Evening journal., 1919-02-15

Of the government with the result
that an acting assistant surgeon has
been delegated TO take charge OF the
work In cooperation with other agen-
cles. The campaign would have begun
on October 1 had It not been for the
epidemic OF influenza.
All Of the physicians OF the State
have been notified that the following
tests and supplies will be furnished
free:
4. Wassermann tests.
2. Salyarsan for patients unable TO
pay for the treatment.
Q. Immunization against typhoid
fever.
4. Smallpox vaccine.
8. Silver nitrate (for the use OF mid
wives as well as physiclans).
6. Examination Of specimens from
any suspected case OF communicable
disease.
Several requests have been received
for serum for immunlzatlon against
typhoid fever but as a rule the physi-
clans Of the state have not availed
themselves OF this offer. In one in
stance enough serum was furnished
10 immunize all persons In the immedi-
ate vicinity OF open vaults that had
been used by several typhoid fever
cases and where the danger from fly
Infection was considerable. In this
case instructions were given for the
immediate cleaning up OF the premises
and for the construction OF new sanl-
tary privies. In another Instance
where several cases OF typhoid fever had
developed In the same town, enough
serum was furnished TO immunlze all
members OF the families In which there
were cases and Instructions were given
as TO the proper steps to prevent fur
ther spread of the disease. In several
cases serum has been offered TO ply
sicians who did not desire to make use
of 1t,
Physicians have been asked TO re-
port all cases OF communicable diseases
that have been attended by them since
January 4, 1918, and have been notified
that the law viii De enforced hereaf-
ter. From a study OF available rec
ords and known cases Of typhoid fever
the conclusion was reached that only a
small percentage OF the typhoid fever
cases occurring In Delaware Is report
ed 10 the office Of the State Board OF
Health and that the Board Of Health
OF the city OF Wilmington has no
knowledge OF many OF the cases occur
ring In Wilmington. Under these con-
dltlons, with so many unknown centers
of Infection. proper measures for pre-
venting the spread OF the disease can
not be applied The law must be COM
piled with II the disease ls to be con-
trolled and this applies to every other
communicable disease.
Beginning with September o. a large
amount OF time was taken up by the
influenza epidemic. Many conferences
were held as to measures 10 be adopt
ed and emergency hospitals were es-
tablished both In Wilmington and New
Castle. The hospitals were operated
under the supervision OF the health
committee, owing to the fact that an
emergency had arisen that must be
dealt with Immediately. Full details
OF the epidemic viii be submitted when
the flnal bills are received and tabulst-
ed and when all OF the death certifl- |
Gates for that period are received.
As physicians were continuously
wv NOihtu uulluk tit lluutlLd epl- !
demic II was necessary 10 postpone
the campaign that had been planned |
for securing prompt and accurate re-
ports OF births, deaths and communic- |
able diseases. The unusual conditions |
caused by the epidemic also made nee |
essary the postponement Of other ac-
tlvities that should be undertaken.
After investigation OF local condi- |
tions the Board OF Health OF Whining |
ton was requested at two different |
meetings to prevent the exposure OF |
foods, TO regulate restaurants, soda |
water fountains. bakeries, candy fac |
tories. etc. to require the physical ex-
OF food handlers, to abolish |
privy vaults where possible and to see
that the remaining yaillts were kept in |
proper condition, to enforce the law in /
'egard 10 the reporting of commune
able diseases, and TO investigate the
milk supply. These matters were also 1
AIKEN up with the Secretary Of the I
state Board at It's regular meeting. The
Importance OF providing a contagious
lsease hospital for Wilmington has