The Topeka state journal., 1922-12-16
Only Few Traces of Epidemic
Left in Kansas.
Death Rate Has Been Low Dur.
ing Last Year.
SHOWN IN ANNUAL REPORT
Extensive Legislative Program
Prepared by State Board.
Ask Appropriation to Meet
Emergency Conditions in State.

| Recovery from the great influenza
epidemic that swept Kansas and the
nation during 1918. 1919 and the early
months of 1920. has been registered by
an unusually low death rate for the
biennium Just closing, DR.. S. ]. Crum-
bine, secretary of the state board OF
health, declares in the eleventh BIZ
cnnial report of the department just
made public. The only physical scars
which seem to remain are an increas-
ing number of activated cases of pull
monary tuberculosis and organic heart
iaffections, DIR. Crumbine states adding
that sporadic cases of influenza have
occurred and are occurring at Nrious
places about the state at this time.
but in the main, the disease is mild
in character.
The Legislative Program.
An extensive legislative program
pertaining to the health departme ment
is recommended by the secretary. He
says.
in which the state board of health
found itself during the preceding bi-
ennium when the state was swept with
a malignant disease of unprecedented
morbidity and mortality, and the fl
nancial situation in which this depart
ment found itself after the adjourn
ment of the 1921 legislature, are the
basis for the following recommenda-
solutely essential if the health depart
ment is to FUNCTION in anything like
an acceptable and effective fashion
First, that a reasonable sum be
set aside, to be used upon authorize
ton of the state board of health and
the approval of the governor. to meet
emergency conditions which may men
ace the safety and health of the citi-
zens of the state.
Second, that an increased appro-
priation be given for diphtheria anti
toxin and other biological products for
free distribution to the INDECENT poor
of the state. The appropriation for
1921 was entirely exhausted before six
months had elapsed, and so the dis
tribution of these life-saving products
had to be suspended.
Asks Support for Laboratory.
Third. that adequate appropriation
be made for the maintenance and sup
port of the public health laboratory,
which during the past biennium could
not have functioned without the fl
nancial aid which was extended by the
health board.
Fourth. that the appropriation for
the division of child hygiene be suf-
ficient in amount to match the federal
funds which are allotted TO Kansas for
infant and maternity work
Fifth, that appropriations for the
division of social diseases. water ana
sewage, communicable diseases ana
sanitation. be in amounts to adequate
ly and efficiently carry on the work
of these divisions without financial
aid from outside sources.
sixth. that the marriage license Zee
for the central division of vital statis-
tics be increased from fifty cents TO
81. that funds may be available Tor
carrying on the divisions work: whIcn
is becoming hopeHssly behind. Ihe
nroper care and quick availability OF
the vital records of the citizens OF the
state are of the greatest importance,
and no reasonable expense is too great
to guarantee that their Legal rlShts DC
properlv safeguarded-"
DR.. Crumbine's report contains the
reviews of the two yearS' work OF the
various divisions of the health depart
ment. namely, child hygiene. soclal
diseases. food and drugs, vital statls-
tics. communicable diseases, puoIc
health nursing, public health lahora-
tory and water and sewage, the latter
being located at the state unlVersItyf