The Carbon County news. [volume] (Red Lodge, Mont.) 1924-1931, 1931-01-08
DEATH RATE CUT
FSINCE 1900
Medical, Health Bodies
Report Wide Victories
in War on Disease.

nation has been cut In half sine,
1900 and in the case of some dis
eases, notably diphtheria, 1t has
oeen reduced % per cent, it was an
nounced In the revised report OF
the joint committee on health prob
ems of the American Medical as.
ISOLATION and the National Educa.
ional association.
The report is the first revision of
the Joint committees statistics
since 1924 and is a summing up of
the winning battle which medical
science and education are waging
against disease. The committee
completed its task only last month.
after more than years extended
| effort by the so authorities in
| health and education who COM
pose it.
The report will form new basis
for health education in the United
States, according to the commit
tees chairman, Dr. Thomas D.
Wood of Teachers college, Column
bia.
Fight on Diphtheria Hailed.
The reduction in the death rate
of diphtheria is hailed as one of
the most striking victories recorded
In the report of medical progress
In the past 90 years. Factors chiefly
responsible for the reduction of
30 per cent in the mortality rate
from this disease. according to the
report, are the discovery of diph-
liberia antitoxin and of toxin-anti-
toxin, used to immunize children.
The reduction in the death rate
for diphtheria is matched by that
for typhoid and para-typhoid fever,
the report reveals.
Despite the tremendous reduc-
ton in many diseases, however, the
report reveals that the country still
pays an appalling toll to sickness
in money.
American taxpayers, the report
pay more than 1927 ,000,-
600 year to care for sufferers
from tuberculosis and heart dis
ease and to assist those who are
handicapped OF this
amount SS00,000,00O goes to the
$90.00O.00O to cardiac
victims and S37,O00,000 to the
physically handicapped. Deaths
from tuberculosis. it is estimated.
cost the people of the United States |
more than s1,500,00O a year.
Typhoid Rate Cut.
Since 1900. the report declares,
he filtration and chemical treat
nent of water, the pasteurization
If milk, and the control of carriers
ave cut the death rate for typhoid
Ind para-typhoid from 81 persons
Der 100000 to 10 per 100000 in
1923.
The reduction was even more
in military life. where for
nerly typhoid generally took a
leavy toll. This the report illus
rates by United States army sta
istics. During the first two years
# the Civil war typhoid caused
,961 deaths among every 100000
oldiers, whereas during the first
wo years Of the World war only
i've soldiers in every 100000 died
# this type of disease.
The committees report indicates
hat more than 81 900 soldiers lives
we're saved because medical men
we're more successful in applying
heir knowledge for the prevention
f typhoid during the first two
ears of our entry in the World
var than in the same period of the
,ivil war.
The almost complete elimination
f cholera, typhus and yellow fever,
II of which took thousands of lives
this country during the
,st century, are also reported.
his success is attributed to the
areful studies of the causes and
he application of proper preven-
We measures.
General Death Rate Cut.
A great reduction in the general
cath rate of the nation is one of
lie outstanding features of the re-
ort. Prior to 1900 the general
cath rate of the nation ranged be-
veen 90 and 30 per 1000 of popu-
ton. In 1923 the rate was II per
AS result of these and
her factors, the report indicates
at 20 years have been added to
e average expectancy of life in !
is country ins the last rs years. |
hus, it declares, a child born In I
massachusetts, in 1925 was expect 8
to live until it reached the age l
fifty whereas such a child born {
1850 was expected to die at {
irty. S
A great reduction in infant NOR
lily was also effected in the last
years, the report shows. In 1900
ore than 16 babies of every 100 :,
m. died before reaching their =
st birthday. AT present seven of y
CHI hundred born die during the y
st year A better understanding .
baby care has contributed to =
is, it is asserted.
The fight waged against tubercu- :
lis has similarly been successful, =
cording to the figures in the re. !:
rt. The death rate from con- J:
mption has decreased from 1914 !:
r 100000 in 1900 to 70 per 100,- !;
0 in 1928. The causes of the de. j
ease, the report says, include i'm I.
owed economic conditions, par :;
ularly among the industrial pop. :;
ltion, educational campaigns by ::
)erculosis associations and health !
Dartments and the increased IA j.
tiles for early diagnosis and hos. =;
q LIN tinn nd 90 fn of thn e,i oil ~