The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1933-01-26
1892 FAVORED YOUNGEST
STATE PEOPLE IN HEALTH
Those Of Middle and Older Age
Groups Didn't Fare So Well

That 1882 was especially favorable
to the youngest citizens of the State,
and to Marylanders in general, but
was somewhat less suspicious for
those of middle age and in the older
age groups, is indicated by a report
prepared by the Maryland State De-
partment of Health.
In commenting on this record, DR..
R. H. Riley, Director of the Depart
ment of Health, said: 'In many in
stances, 1882 will go down in history
as banner year, so far as the general
health conditions are concerned. There
was less sickness from communicable
diseases-42,621 cases were reported
in comparison with 66,284 in 1881;
there were fewer deaths at all ages;
there were more births reported and
much larger proportion of the babies
born during the year survived the per-
lis of infancy than in 1881. Here are
the figures: Deaths at all ages, 81
1O8 in 1882; 21,768 in 1881. Births,
29,155 in 1882; 28,7O5 in 1881. Deaths
under one year, 1898 in 1882; 1924
in 1881.
"The death rate for babies-that
is, the deaths among children less than
a year old to each thousand live births
was the lowest we have ever reached
in Maryland. The infant death rates
for 1882 in comparison with those for
1881 were as follows: 68.4 per thous-
and live births for the State, Gil for
Baltimore City and 1853 for the coun-
ties in 1882; and $40 for the State,
74.5 for Baltimore City and 872 for
the counties, in 1881.
"There were also fewer deaths of
mothers in childbirth, in comparison
with the totals for other years. The
total number of maternal deaths re-
ported in 1882 was 1874; the number
in 1881 was 100. Six counties-Cal-
vert, Carroll, Howard, Kent, Prince
Georges and Queen Anne's-had the
distinction of having no maternal
deaths. The total number of live
births reported from these counties
was 1857, of which 1911 were white
and 756 colored.
"There were also fewer deaths in the
total from infectious diseases. There
were marked decreases in the deaths
from typhoid fever, diphtheria and tu'
berculosis. The death rates-that is
the number of deaths from each one of
these diseases in each hundred thous-
and of the population, were the lowest
that have been reached in the State.
The rates were 80 for typhoid; 81 for
diphtheria and 90.2 for tuberculosis.
'The less favorable side of the pic
ture is shown in the deaths from what
are generally called 'degenrative'
diseases of middle age and of the older
age groups. There were increases in
heart disease which was responsible
for 4,282 deaths and which was the
leading cause of death in the total at
all ages; in cancer, which caused 1912
deaths; cerebral hemorrhage, 1926
deaths, and diabetes, to which 43O
deaths were attributed. Kidney dis
ease, which belongs to this group, was
responsible for 1916 deaths.
"These five causes were responsible
for 1896 deaths, or more than half
of the total deaths reported during
the year. Sickness and deaths from
these causes may, as rule, be post
poned, provided the often repeated ad-
vice in regard to the importance of
periodical health examinations and
health direction under medical super
vision is followed. The large proper
ton of deaths from these diseases in
the general total emphasizes strongly
the need for such advice"
At Hinton, w. Va, four youths