Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-01-10
HEALTH WORK
ACCOMPLISHED
DURING 1921
Only Five Cases of Smallpox
in Two and a Half
Years
DECLINE IN DEATHS
Review Given of Various Phrases of
Health Work-Report Most Crafty
ing to Department

With this month we close the calen-
dar year of 1921, which has indeed
been remarkable for it's low mortality
and morbidity rate.
| think it is worthy Of special notice
that this rate for the principal con-
tagious and infectious diseases
such as typhoid, diphtheria, scarlet
fever, pneumonia, tuberculosis, small
box, etc.-has been steadily reduced
since the organization of your present
health department on July lst, I9l9.
Let us take the two principal serious
contagious diseases Of childhood ana
compare the rate for the last three
years
Diphtheria-1919, 27 cases; 1920,
II cases; 1921, 4 cases.
Scarlet Fever-19l9, q cases;
1920, 8 cases; 1921, 4 cases.
You might think that this low rate
for last year would hold good for most
other places. On the contrary, diph-
liberia and scarlet fever have been
generally prevalent throughout the
United States during 1921, and par
ticularly in the sections surrounding
this City, including Washington. On
December Gath, according TO official
report, there were 143 cases OF dlph-
liberia and 81 cases of scarlet fever
in the city of Washington, yet we did
not have single case of either in
Alexandria.
During two and half years
your present health department has
had charge, we have had only five
cases of smallpox within our city
limits, yet during the previous two
and a half years, there We're total
of 26 cases.
| would like to mention right here
a point that is we'll worth noting, as
it is one of the means by which we
measure the efficiency of any health
department. That is, we have held
every case of smallpox Just where it
started, and prevented any other cases
from developing after the first was
located. This also holds good for our
four diphtheria and four scarlet fever
cases during 1921. We prevented all
secondary infections.
Again, let us compare the number
of deaths from communicable, and,
therefore, preventable diseases, dur
ing the past three years. By COM
municable diseases, mean the varl-
Gus diseases that are caused by mac
terial infection, such as typhoid fever,
pneumonia, tuberculosis, scarlet fever,
diphtheria, measles, etc. The record
stands as follows:
1885 deaths from communicable
diseases.
l920-8l deaths from communicable
diseases.
l921-63 deaths from communicable
diseases.
You will note that the past year
shows a very marked decline in the
number of deaths from preventable
diseases, yet it is no more than could
be expected when we take into con-
sideration the vast amount of disease
prevention work accomplished by your
health department during the above
period.
should it be expected 60 reduce the
morbidity and mortality rate in few
months, or even years time, but If
such preventive work is honestly and
efficiently carried out, is is bound to
show sooner Gr later, not only in the
prevention of such sickness and suf-
fering, but the saving of human life
as well.
l am now firmly convinced, that
after a practical test, covering q
period of two and half years, large
majority Of the good people Of Alex.
andria fully believe that the money
expended in maintaining full-time
modern health department, has
brought back returns in the proven.
tion of sickness and saving of human
life, as can never be measured by
dollars and cents.
This matter is worth thoughtful
consideration by all.
General Food And MIX Inspection
During December 120 lbs. of tur.
keys were condemned and destroyed
also 1920 lbs. of tuberculous meat.
buiiiS lNe last SIA itioiishS W t'-4
we condemned and destroyed 5,57;
lbs. Of tuberculous meat, besides {
large amount of fish, pork, mutton
livers, rabbits, chickens and turkeys
A total of l,452 inspections of res
taurants, meat markets and other fooc
and drink handling establishment:
have been made during the 81.
months period.
All Of this unhealthful and danger.
Gus quantity Of foodstuff would have
been sold to our citizens. but for the
constant inspection work carried or
by your health department.
During the same period we made
l20 inspections of dairy farms, and
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