Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-04-06
SPLENDID
HEALTH RECORD
During MARCH
Only So Cases of COmmuni-
cable Diseases Re-
ported
BIG DECREASE NOTED
Health Officer FuulAs Reports Food.
NIilk and General Sanitary lnSpec-
tinn Work.

From the standpoint of our freedom
from communicable diseases, the
month of March was remarkable.
There were only sc cases Of the vari-
GUS communicable diseases reported 10
this department In March, 1921, we
had total of 1852 cases reported.
Since the schools opened last Sep
tembpr, up to the present time, we
have been practically free from the
usual children's diseases, such as
scarlet fever, diptheria, measles,
mumps, chicken poX, etc.
As noted in my report for February
our general disease rate continues 70
be very low, and certainly trust that
we can keep up this good record.
A short time ago, certain person
was loudly criticiSing the Health Ot-
ficer for enforcing ertain sanitary
regulations, and i'm connection with
number Of other wild statements SAID;
'I don't believe in much of this DIS
ease prevention stuff, for Just as many
people die now from the common dlS,
eases. as they did 25 o. 30 years ago.
Now that statement sounds very
nice, but it has just one fault, It is
not the truth! Let US study the facts
and see what they say about the mat
ter.
The annual death rate per hundred
thousand Of the population Tor various
communicable; hercc preventable dis
cases; has been lowered during the
last twenty years rs follows: Typhoid
fever, from $50 TO %; for measles,
from l2.5 TO SO; for scarlet fever,
from 1912 TO 2.S: for diphtheria from
l3.3 10 l4.7: for tuberculosis, from
20i q ia 1856; for tuberculosis, from
1905 10 1886. 1t might also be noted
that yellow fever has been practical
IN wiped ont and cholera, plague and
tvphus are held ct a distance, while
smallpox. that used TO he q most COM
mon and highly fatal disease, is now
no longer feared. All this Is due TO
modern medical and sanitary science,
working hand i'm hand ir the prevcn-
tion and cure Of communicable dis
eases. These are facts and not theo-
rits Facts that cannot be disputed.
A health officers lot Is by no means
= happy one, MS he frequently mas
TO combat ignorance, prejudice. and
suucrStitiou. lie has far more brcHS
than bouquets thrown at him. bat IL
he IS the rjgh kinl OF man,
neither the bricks or bouquatS both
en- him very much. That is to say the
bricks don't stop him from dong
his duty. and the te wbouque-S ne
yets don't swell mis- head.
During the first three months of
1922. there were total of 90 deaths
from all causes within the city limits,
as compared with IS deaths for the
same period o. 1921.
During the first three months ct
1922, there were 40 cases of commum-
cable diseases reported. During the
same period Of 1921, there were tO0
eases, mostly children's diseases.
II will thus be seen that the gen
eral deach and disease rate IS much
lower foy the three months period
of 1922 than it WAS in 1921. | might
also STATE that the disease rate was
love- In both 1922 and 1921, than IN
l02O.
A. of these interesting facts are
mcyo f8l!y noted by months and years
on th, large charts displayed upon
thc walls OF the health Office.
The worl, olonG these lines has
progressed very nicely during the
month Of March. 375 los. of meat was
condemned and destroyed. 265 conf
plants were investigated and los
MUS anceS we've &baled. Il sewer con-
uect;1rS were ma6c and - otiicla.
notices were sent out 20 property
owners 60 connect their buildings to
the city sewers. The time limit set in
these notices is April 18th. After that
date all those who have failed 20 take
action will be summoned before the
Police Court. Ten pr.vy wells were
closed up. 10 dairy inspections were
made. and 2S inspections OF yards and
buildings. 4 total Oi 33i inspections
of restaurants. meat markets, grocery
stores. fish markets, fish wagons, soft
drink establishments, ice cream and
bakeries. barber shops, moving PIC
ture theatres, public schools and pub
lie toilets were made during the month
on March.
The Laboratory
We made total of 449 tests and
examinations in our laboratory during
March. Over a hundred more than Oul
usual average. 1t is needless to say
that it has kept US working at mgF
pressure to accomplish this. However
none of the work was neglected an,
an was turned out promptly.
Neuereal C6nic
56 patients We're treated IN tins
clinic during March, and total oi
14O treatments given. This makes a.
increase of y patients and 10 treat
ments given over the previous montn'
Public Clinic for the Poor
In this clinic we gave lO4 eXamna
tions and treatments 70 persons uh