Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-12
D. c. TUBERCULOSIS
DEATH RATE IS CUT
Dr.. Kober Declares Poorer
Neighborhoods Still
Neglected.

Reduction Of the death rate from
tuberculosis In the District was report.
ed yesterday by DR.. George M. Kober
president of the Association for the
Prevention Of tuberculosis, in an in
PRODUCTION to the tr1ennial report OF
the organization.
THE battle against disease is not
yet finished, though progress has been
made" DR.. Kober wrote. THE death
rate from pulmonary tuberculosis in the
District has been reduced from 266 pei
100, 900 population in 1900 to 90 per
100000 in 1928, decline of more than
half in mortality from this disease. The
meaning of this decline in terms OF
life saving Is that 961 persons now liv-
ing would have died from tuberculosis
last year If the death rate of 1900
had still prevailed.
d. C.. Sixth From Highest.
But while noting this evidence OF
progress, we must not overlook the fact
that Washington still ranks sixth from
the highest in tuberculosis death rate
among IL cities of its population class.
The only cities where the tuberculosis
death rate is higher than In the group
referred to are Southern cities, in
which the large colored population is
determining factor.
The tuberculosis death rate in 1928
for New Orleans was 1898; for Nash
Vile, 1855; for Atlanta, 1904; for San
Francisco, 1897 (probably due to a
large influx Of conSumptives) for Bal
timore, 99.8, and for Richmond, 92.1.
1T is gratifying to know that the
white tuberculosis death rate has been
reduced in Washington from 1873 in
1900 to 81 in 1928 (Which is 20 points
below the general average in the United
States registration area); the colored
death rate during the same period has
been reduced from 492 to 226. The
great difference in the death rate of
careful study Of the causes, and in the
meantime greater efforts must be made
In preventive health work"
Dr.. Kober added he believed the
higher mortality in the colored popula-
ton was due to poor housing condi-
tions, overcrowding, inadequate and
improper food, insanitary surroundings
within and without their premises and
lack OF personal hygiene.
Cites AristotIe's Views.
He expressed the opinion that "a
great deal of good can be accomplished
by efforts in the right direction. Arts
totle, one OF our ancient and most
philosophical physicians, showed his
acumen when he declared in
his 'Politica': The greatest influence
on health is exerted by those things
which we most freely and frequently
require for our existence, and this is
true of water and air.
TO which have added food.
have repeatedly demonstrated the cor
rectness of Aristotle's aphorism by
study of the vital statistics of Wash
ington and other cities before and
after the introduction of pure water
and sewers, with which we are happily
supplied.
II am convinced, however, that our
poor colored and white neighborhoods
are still shamefully neglected In the
way of inspection of yards alleys, the
Of garbage and other refuse
which cause pollution of the air and
engender bad housekeeping. Health
Is our chief vital asset and source of
happiness. Sickness among our less
neighbors means great
financial losses, and in many instances
Is cause of poverty and distress. The
most rational method of prevention of
disease will be found in the develop
ment OF strong, virile race, capable
Of resisting disease in general and
tuberculosis in particular"