Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-03-08
Low DISEASE
RATE NOTED
IN FEBRUARY
Report Submitted by DR.. l..
E. Foullks, City Health
Officer
ONLY FORTY-SIX CASES
Number of Deaths and Communicate
Diseases in January and February
Below Normal.

General summary Of The work ac-
complished By the health department.
during month Of February, 1922.
Our disease rate for the month OF
February was exceedingly low. III
fact much below the usual rate Tor
several years past. To illustrate:
February 1920, No. of cases re-
II February tJ 1921, No. of cases re.
ported 80: ...' l."
February 1922. No. of cases re.
This extra low disease rate is
partly accounted for by our wonder
ful freedom from children's diseases.
such as diptheria. scarlet fever,
measles. mumps whooping cough
and chicken pox. In fact there has
been such few cases of the usual
and naturally expected chlldren'S
diseases within our city limits since
Nav, 1921, as to be hardly worth
noting. This can be partly accounted
for by the careful watch kept over
our children in the public schools. No
matter what the reason may be, we
should be very thankful that our city
mas been kept practically free from
chidrcns diseases for the past ten
mor,h<. Efficient food. milk and
genera! sanitary inspection work,
also would check such diseases.
No cases Of dipthera or scarlet
fever were reported or found within
our city during the month OF Feb
ruary.
The number of cases reported and
the death rate from pneumonia Tor
both January and Fcbraury. has been
far lower than usual for these two
months. in which the greatest num-
ber OF cases and deaths occur.
We had several cases Of typhoid
during the month. Two of the cases
were contacts and one an outside. in
fection, but no deaths occurred. 1T
Will be seen from the above nota-
tions. that The number Of cases OF
communicable diseases and deaths
therefrom during beth January and
February. were below what might be
expected as normal.
General Food and Milk Inspection
Work
Much of this class of work has
been done during February, as will
be seen in our detailed report. $40
pounds Of tubcrculouS meat was
condemned and destroyed. This
makes total of S.7l5 pounds. con-
demncd by this department since
July lst. 1921. During the month
we investigated 1Sl general and spe-
ciai complaints. taking such action as
each was found to require. Many of
the complaints received by us are
found. upon investigation. 20 be of a
trivial nature. but some are serious
and il gives US a chance to abate
some condition that Nigh; he a dar-
gcrous menace To hcal:h We are
always glad TO receive and investi-
gate complaints, for IN that way we
have things called to our attention
that otherwise we might never run
across. 1l3 nuiSancc$ were ahatea
during the month.
During the month, we made n to-
tai Of 253 inspections OF restaurants,
meat markets. fish markets. grocery
stores. soft drink establishments,
dairy farms. moving picture houses,
schools. public toilets. etc. The above
represents a large amount Of work,
hut it is only part Il what wc DO. 1t
is only By careful study of the de-
cailcd report that one may realize
tho large and varied amount Of work
accomplished by this department
Laboratory
Our laboratory did the usual
amount Of work. making 313 cxami
nations. This gives no idea OF the
cher work. that must be. done daily,
in making ~ stains. reagents. cul-
ture media! etc. But ii all requires
work, and it takes both time and
care. for ii mus. be done perfectly,
or it would be worthless. 1t is an
undiSpu.cd fact that the work Of con-
troll and prevention Of communicable
diseases. cannot be successfully car
ricd out without the help Of "A mod
crn meteorological laboratory. and
your health department is satisfied
tha. We have one that is second to
none in any city Of the size Of Alex
andria. The only thing we need is
more room in which to work. as our
present quarters are too small.
might state here. that the crying
reed of your health department to-
day. IS more commodious quarters.
IN which to conduct our varied and
constantly growing activities The
SPACE we have is entirely 100 small
for the work this department is call
ed upon TO do. We have simply out
grown our quarters But We are try
ing 20 do the hest we can with the
room at our disposal.
Yenereal Clinic
A. cases of venereal disease were
treated during the past month. ard q
total of 400 treatments given in this
CONTINUED on page five)