The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1935-07-25
THREE DISEASES CAUSED
ONE-FOURTH OF SICKNESS
Influenza Charged With Largest
Number During 1885 Thus Far

Three diseases-infuenza, tubercu-
losis and the penumonias-were re-
sponsible for one-fourth of the total
sickness from the Catching" diseases
reported to the State Department OF
Health during the first six months OF
the current year. The remaining three
fourths were scattered among the
fifty or more other diseases on the re-
portable list. The report as summar-
lied by DR.. R. H. Riley, Director OF
the State Department of Health, fol-
lows: From January 1 to June 30,
inclusive, 25, 1913 cases of communica-
BILE diseases were reported to the De-
partment, 1924 from Baltimore City
and 1889 in the counties, in compar-
ison with 46,437 during the cores
ponding period of 1884, 30,176 of
which occurred in Baltimore City and
1921 in the counties. The measles
epidemic of last year was responsible
for last years high total.
"Of the three diseases mentioned
above, influenza was charged with
1865 cases, in comparison with 484
during the first six months of 1884; the
pneumonias with 2,276 cases as COM
pared to 2,227 in 1884, and tuberculo-
sis with 1892 cases in comparison
with 1928 cases of that disease dur
ing the, first six months of last year.
More complete reporting Of existing
cases is felt to be responsible for the
increase in the tuberculosis total
rather than an actual increase in the
disease.
Among the so-called children's dis
eases scarlet fever and German meas
les showed marked increases; and
measles, whooping cough and diphthe
ria showed substantial decreases. Scar
let fever was charged with 2,419 cases
in the State during the current year,
in comparison with 1,749 cases last
year; German measles with 1886 cases
this year in comparison with TAO last
year. Measles was responsible for
1850 cases in comparison with 25,930
last year; whooping cough for 918
cases as compared to 1876 last year,
and diphtheria for 100 cases in COM
parison with 204 last year.
Give cases of polio.nyelitis-infan-
tile paralysis--were reported from the
first of January to the end of June,
an increase of one case over the num- |
Der reported during the same period
last year. There were At cases of dys-
entery reported in comparison with
81 last year and SO cases of diarrhea
and cholera infantum in comparison
with So last year.
"The total for the first six months
of 1885 also include 6 cases of mala-
ria, 7 of tetanus-lockjaw-2 Of pei
legra, Is of tularemio-rabbit fever
.12 Of of Rocky Mountain spotted
fever-18 of undulent fever, the dis
ease that is usually contracted thru
the use of unpasteurized milk from
cattle, and 1856 of meningitis.
"Practicing physicians are asked to
report all cases of communicable dis
eases they attend or that are brought
to their attention, to the nearest city
or county health officer or to the State
of Health, in order that
the necessary measures of prevention
or control may be gotten under way
promptly. The completeness of the
records depends accordingly, to a
large extent upon the interest and CO.
operation of the physicians throughout
the State. AS our records show, we
have such cooperation here in Mary
land, in a very marked degree" DR..
Riley concluded.