The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1934-01-25
STATE HAS FAVORABLE
HEALTH RECORD FOR 1888
Less Sickness From COmmuni-
cable Disease and Fewer Deaths


In spite of the depression, there was
less sickness from communicable
diseases in Maryland last year than
for several years, and there were
fewer deaths in the State from all
causes in proportion to the popula
ton than at any time since the rec
ords of such matters have been kept
by the State. In commenting on the
records, DR.. r. H. Riley, Director of
the State Department of Health said:
f'Last year was particularly favorable
to the younger element in the popula-
ton but less favorable to those who
have reached middle age. There were
27,633 births reported during the year
in comparison with 28,740 in 1882, but
there were fewer deaths among babies
under year old, in proportion to the
number of births, than at any time
since the State has been keeping the
records of births and deaths. There
were q ,464 births in the white popu-
lation and 6,169 in the colored There
were 1,149 infant deaths in the white
population or approximately "a
deaths under one year to each thous-
and live births; and 644 deaths under
one year in the colored population or
approximately 104 deaths to each one
thousand colored births.
''There were 2O,569 deaths from all
causes, at all ages of which 1886
were white and ALSO colored. Consid-
ering these deaths in relation to pop
ulation, there were II deaths in each
thousand of the population of the
State, II in each thousand of the
white population and II in each one
thousand of the colored. These pro-
portions continue the decline that has
been evident during the past five
years.
"There were encouraging decreases
in q number of important causes of
death. There were 1852 deaths from
tuberculosis, 149 less than in 1882;
1885 from pneumonia in comparison
with 1,730 last year; 81 from typhoid
fever in comparison with So in 1882;
and 29 from diphtheria in comparison
with So last year.
"There were fewer cases of sickness
from the reportable diseases than for
several years. Some of these diseases
like measles, occur in epidemic
form, at more or less regular inter
walls. Last year was favorable one
in this respect The total number of
cases of sickness from the communi-
cable diseases reported was 39,602.
The total in 1882 was 1862.
!, ''Of the total deaths, 3,707 were
Snder 25 years old, 1872 from rs to
40 and 14,O17-or over two-thirds of
the\ total-were over As years old.
What we speak of as the degenera
tive diseases of middle age and of the
older ag groups, were responsible
for 10s773 deaths, or more than half
of the total from all causes. Diseases
of the heart were responsible for
1924 deaths, diseases of the kidneys
for 2,439, cancer for zoos, cerebral
hemorhage for 1,6O7 and diabetes for
1898 deaths.
"Nearly all of these degenerative
diseases have slow beginnings, and
sickness or death from such diseases
can often be postponed or evene pre-
vented, if the advice of the family
doctor is sought and followed. We
have grown accustomed to having
regular medical supervision of babies
and young children, and the boys and
girls Of school age, are acquiring the
habit of health supervision and peri
odical health examinations through
the physical examinations that are
part of the regular school routine.
1t is the grown-ups, now, who need to
acquire the habit of going to the doc
tor while well in order that they may
be advised how to keep well. By hav-
ing an early diagnosis and by follow
ing the doctors advice, a great deal
can be accomplished not only in pro-
longing life, but in prolonging it for
healthy usefulness"