The Washington times., 1921-08-28
POPl)LAT ION
Of DISTRICT
0N|NCREASE
Statistics Show Births Far Out
number Deaths; EIectrocu-
+ ton of Animals Urged.

{, Science, always developing some
new electrical apparatus, has inter-
ested the District Health Depart
'ment to such an extent that DR..
William C. Fowler. Distric. Health
Officer, wants to dispose Of IN
claimed animals by the electrical
cage method, instead of by using
charcoal fumes.
Cites Canine Deaths.
DR.. Fowler, like hundreds Of other
citizens in Washington, objects to
inhumane treatment of animals. He
says in his annual report to the
Commissioners that the practice OF
the District pound in killing animals
with charcoal fumes has been the
subject Of much criticism.
Il believe that more humane and
less Objectionable method of dispos-
ing of these unfortunate animals can
be substituted by the installation of
automatic electrically equipped
cages" declares the Health Officer.
DR.. Fowler, I'm his estimates. has
asked for an appropriation for one
OF these cages, which, he says. are
used in many cities in the United
States.
A considerable part of DIR. Fowler's
report is taken up with animals. He
points out that 5,644 animals were
received at the pound during the
past fiscal year OF this number,
J,607 were dogs, 1888 cats. 80 horses,
IA mules. 3 goats, l sheep and cow.
OF the dogs, 2.5O9 were captured
while running at large and 1,0so
were surrendered for destruction or
custody of them. The poundmaster
killed $50 of the dogs received and
sold 400 others.
Covers All Life Here.
DR.. Fowler's report covers every
phase of life and death in the District
Of Columbia. 1t deals with the mum.
Der of births, compares them with
previous years; it tells of The number
of deaths, compares them with pre-
vious years. and it reviews the vari-
Gus diseases which have affected
Washingtonians during the twelve
months ended June 80. 1921.
+ During the year. 6.463 deaths &C.
Cured, compared with 6,372 for the
previous year, an increase Of 81
deaths. Births in the District last
year numbered 9,436, compared with
$3.50 during the previous year. This
shows that births last year exceeded
deaths by several thousand.
Dealing with reportable diseases, DIR.
Fowler. in a set of statistics, shows
that pneumonia caused the greatest
number of deaths here. Heart disease
followed a close second. with tubercu-
losis, apoplexy. and Bright's disease
next in the order named.
The report shows that influenza
which caused several thousand deaths
here during the war, has not disap-
peared by far. DIR. Fowler says that
during the calender year 1920 there
were Ais cases, with 2S2 deaths re-
sulting. These figures show a con-
siderable decrease. however, from the
previous year.
Sleeping sickness caused seven
deaths in the District during the cal
endar year 1920. These deaths oc-
CURED among thirty-nine persons re-
ported suffering with the discuss.
Measles appear to be Washington's
most popular disease. for AIS cases
were reported. Whooping cough
cases to the number of 1853 are re-
corded on the books of the Health ne-
partment. The department also re-
ceived reports of 1908 new cases of
tuberculosis and 1,lG2 cases of
chickenpox.
The total number of bodies Gre
mated during the fiscal year 1921 was
483, of which So were adults. 1876 in
fants. and 292 stubborn babies. The
amount received from sixty-three pri
vate cremations was $3.50. an
amount almost sufficient to pay the
cost Of upkeeping the crematory.
... Laboratories Busy.
49, 81 No
partment spent busy twelve
months ending June 30 last In the
meteorological laboratory 1861 speci-
mems were examined; in the seroog-
ical laboratory 1856 specimens were
examined.
The report states that 514 samples
Of water collected from various rub
lie bathing pools were examined. The
meteorological findings showed a
considerable Improvement in the con-
dition of the water compared to
previous years. 1t is stated that
these examinations more than Justi-
fled the mount spent.
During the year the medical in
spcctors made 6,456 visits to school
buildings and AZ visits'to the homes
of pupils. Three thousand, three
hundred and sixty-five pupils were
physically examined and SPA we're
examined to determine II vaccinated.
Two hundred and seventy-one pupils
were examined and recommended for
transfer to special schools, S29 for
admission to normal school, LIS for
work permits, 4,42s for readmission
to school, 2,427 for exclusion from
school for various causes.
The dental inspectors made an ex-
animation of the teeth of 1914 pupils.
OF this number. 1859 were found to be
free from defects. Two thousand
nine hundred and forty eight patients
were treated at the dental clinics dur.
ing the year 1920.21. The total num-
Der of sittings given was II, 1851.
The school nurses made 1889 visits
TO the schools, 10.035 visits to the
homes of pupils. 1912 visits to the
various clinics, and 4Ss visits to CO.
operative agencies. During the yea.
2,776 pupils were taken by the nurses
to the various clinics for treatment OF
physical defects.
MOTHER REPORTED DYING;
CHlCACOAN SOUGHT HERE