The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-07-14
BACK UP OPINION "A HEALTH RECORD
Decrease Of Fifty Per Cent in
Communicable Diseases.
Death Rate Is Much Smaller
Than Last Year.

If Topeka keeps up its record for
the past six months, the year 1921 will
show the healthiest condition, the low
est death rate, and the largest increase
in population of any year in its his
tory, it is indicated in the semi-annual
health report of the city health de-
partment for the period ending June
80, 1921. The report is prepared by
DIR. Earle G. Brown, city health Of
ficer.
One death less per thousand popu-
lation, or a probable decrease of fifty
deaths in 1921 over the record of 1920
Is expected should the death rate for
theS Sfirst six months not increase no
ticeably in the last six months, Doctor
Brown pointed out.
Due to Health Measures.
Commissioner R. D. McGiffert, head
of the health department, and Doctor
Brown expressed qualification over the
health conditions shown in the report.
1t indicates that public health meas
ures probably have been in some de-
gree effective in bringing about such
satisfactory state.
In 1920 for the first six months
there were 3,212 cases of communica-
BILE disease, of which 1900 were cases
of influenza, the report shows. In
1921 for the first six months there
have been 1,423 cases of communi-
cable disease A measles epidemic in
creased the total number of cases this
year, with 527 cases of measles re-
ported in the first six months. Chick
| enpox was nearly as common, with
| 45S cases reported.
During the six months period, 597
births were reported to the local reg
istrar. In the same period, S41 deaths
were reported. With the population
/ Of
rate is 1886 per thousand population
and a crude death rate of 1.13 per
| 1000 population.
| Death Rate Is Low.
The birth rate is about normal, Doc
| tor Brown pointed out, but the death
rate is unusually low, with the deduc-
ton that if the birth rate continues
normal and the death rate decreases
so markedly, Topeka is bound to have
a substantial gain in population by the
! end of 1921.
The semi-annua1 birth reports for
the January to June period of the
last seven years show 453 in 1915; 495
in 1916; 563 in 1877; SIG in 1913;
491 in 1919; $40 in 1920, and 597 in
1921. The death reports for the same
period in the last seven years show
$50 deaths in 1915; S65 in 1915; 403
in 1917; All in 1918; 403 in 1919; 434
in 1920, and S41 in 1921.
Urges Vaccination.
Vaccination might have played a
part in lessening the number of small
pox cases if those affected had taken
the vaccination precaution, Doctor
Brown said. OF the 128 cases of the
disease reported in the last six months
only six ever had had a successful
1 Vaccination history. five of whom had
/ been vaccinated more than seven years
/ ago and one had been vaccinated less
than seven years ago. The city health
department strongly urges all who
| have never been vaccinated for small
pox to be vaccinated.
/ No public school in Topeka was free
from cases of communicable disease,
the report shows, showing how gath
erings of persons are responsible Tor
( spread of di. ease. In the summer
when schools are dismissed the num-
ber of cases of disease in the city is
the lowest of any time of year. Three
schools, Assumption, Douglas and
Monroe, had only one case each of
communicable disease. Central Park
school reported 81 cases of commun-
icable disease, including 81 cases of
lchickenpox.
Tuberculosis Is Increasing.
Cases of tuberculosis are found in
Topeka in increasing numbers, ac-
cording to the semi-annual report
The number reported is practically
double each year over the preceding
year. In 1919 there were rs cases OF
J tuberculosis; in 1920 there were So
cases of the disease, and in 1921 there
were 107. The fact of the increasing
number is not SO alarming in view OF
the increasing anti-tuberculosis work
and the endeavor of the city health
department and other health workers
to enforce reporting of cases. The city
tuberculosis clinic has been response
Bile for the discovery of many cases
that otherwise would not have beer
reported.