Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-01-01
BIRTHS EXCEED DEATHS
2,651 PASS AWAY AND
1888 NEWCOMERS ARRIVE
;rcord for 1919 Ia Gratifying To Health
MISUNDERSTANDING and In
duenEn Tnkc HenNIcNt FOIL.

There were 1889 more births than
deaths in ltichmond last year, accord
ing to the reports which had been
tilcd in the office Of the Health Bureau
up to last night During the year
a2,G51 deaths from all causes were re-
ported and 1898 births recorded.
IL This makes Richmond's death rate
1886 per 1000 inhabitants. the lowest
ever recorded here. and the birth rate
524.I7 per 1000. which is considered ex-
ceilcnt by officials.
* The lowest death rate heretofore
recorded was in 1917. when there were
2.936 deaths. or rate of 1873 per l,ooO
Z Consumption and influenza took the
heaviest toll of life in Richmond. other
contagious diseases being kept wei! III
nnnd. Deaths from CONSUMPTION mum
bcred 2i7 or ISIS per 100000 inhabi-
tants. as compared with 80 deaths III
1918 or 1918 per 100000.
= Influenza Takes Toll.
Richmond's death rate from inhu.
enza would have been low had II not
been for continuance OF the 1910
first three months of 1919 in when
time 1G5 deaths of the total OIL LVa
for the year were recorded. inns
makes Richmond's death rate from MS ms
fucnza for the year 1874. In lole
there were 5S6 deaths from inhuenAl
Only three deaths from scarlet tevea
were recorded throughout the cn nonU
year, and none were recorded in lolo'
-Four deaths from measles were re-
ported, making the death rate from
This disease rs per 100000 Of popuia,
lion, Typhoid fever also was kept
veil under control, only sig deaths Il IS
.iisease during the year Wn"opins
nineteen deaths from this, dis
"a rate OF Ill per 100000 being
IN blished. This in comparison "i nn
piiorrhoea, said TO be one OF tie worst
I troubles withNwhich the health anthor-
tties have to contend. caused the d tGo
Of tifty-nine. or a rate OF 36.3 per lov'-
900 population. THE lowering OF the
death rate from this ailment Is very
gratifying to health-cnliicials here; tney
declare. the deaths from this disease
in 1918 numbering ciEhty-two.
Two Diseases Gain.
Only in two instances did a disease
sa;n over preceding year, Sea RE
me other. 1t caused fifteen deaths. or
4 rate of % per. 100000.
sidered favorable. and the number re-
aortcd so far for 1919 already num-
ers eighty-tiyc more than those re-
p pee,er IN Of ' SnS.e " welfare. also de-
cinred that he expected at least 100
more births TO be reported TO the de-
DC compiled. He estimated that me
deaths for the year would
not number more than SIX than have
birth rate was 1894 per 1000.
Figures and percentages given out
yesterday by the Health bureau We're
based on the population OF Richmond
at the time of the last census. and IL Is
probable that II the exact tSures Tor
the present population could be oo-
tained the report would be even more
fovaroblc.
DR.. Levy stated yesterday that he
was hfbhly gratiiicd by the lowest
death rate recorded here since records
hhavc been kept. He said that a recur-
Brcnce Of the influenza epidemic was
9anticipatd. but had failed TO put IN
an appearance.
There have been only two deaths
Pfrom influenza in Richmond within the
past three months, according 10 D!