The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-01-21
BY VERNON E. BUNDY.

According to the annual report
which is being submitted by DR.. Earle
G. Brown, city health officer, Topeka,
during 1921, suffered the lowest
gross death rate which has ever
been recorded in the history of the
city. The gross death rate during 1921
was 14.O4 persons per thousand of
population Calculated on the same
basis the rate in 1920 was las per-
sons per thousand of population, and
in 1919. 14.7 persons per thousand.
The actual number of deaths re-
corded in Topeka during the year was
IA. This was smaller death total
in numbers than that of 1920-733, in
spite of the increase in population
which is estimated at S33 persons for
the wear. COf this increase in popu-
lation zoo is the estimated number
of the additional area which has re-
Gently been annexed to the city. The
remainder are removals to the CITY
and births).
The number of deaths occurring in
Topeka in 1920 was larger than that
in 1919. when only 73O deaths &C.
CURED. due to the influenza epidemic.
There is no doubt that we could
reduce this death rate still further, II
we could get at the figures on a COM
munity basis" Doctor Brown declares
The deaths are figured on a geograph-
icaI basis-without regard to whether
they are residents of the city or not
and Doctor Brown is firmly OF the
oninioi that more nonresidents dled
i,i Tonel<a during 1921 than there were
Topeka residents who died elsewhere
Nopresidcnts' Deaths Counted
Nonresident deaths at the hospitals
~ 'ropeka were counted IN Wheh lle
death rate for the city was calculated.
Trhis factor unduly increased the death
rate for the city. The plan of account
ing for the deaths from the COM
nunity standpoint, howver. presents
Iifficulties which it would be impos-
sible to surmount.
OF the months of the year. october
saw the greatest number OF deaths
occur in Topeka-seventy-o The
lowest number for one month was
June, with but thirty-nine deaths
More men than women died during
the wear. The deaths of $50 males
were recorded. making 51.12 per cent
of the total The deaths of 34S wo-
men, only 1883 per cent, were re-
corded
ain classifying the death records by
races it was found that the Mexican
race had by far the highest death
rate The Mexican population of To-
peka is estimated by the city officials
as 1000. and the colored as $500,
leaving q total OF 40-50o WHITES.
High Mexican Death Rate.
The death rate of Mexicans was 81
per 1000; of colored persons, 1888
persons per 1000 population, and of
white, 8 per 1000 population.
In the natural course of events,
more married persons than single or
widowed died during the year-be-
cause there are more married than
single adults in the city. There were
SOS married persons deaths reported
during the year. as against the deaths
of 229 single persons, 100 widowed
persons. fourteen divorced persons,
and six Whose conjugal state was un-
known.
OF the persons who died in Topeka
during the year, 141 were born in the
city: SO we're born in other cities in
Kansas; 351 were born in other states
of the United States; rs were born IN
foreign countries, and the birthdaces
of eleven are unknown.
At the time of their deaths, $50
persons were residents of Topeka, and
l25 were residents of some other To-
cality. On the bass of residents
DEATH only, and assuming that all the,