The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-01-14

Although there was an increase in the number of cases of certain disease reported in Connecticut last year, this should not be disconcert- ing since some diseases occur in waves every three or four years, but rather hould be an incentive to- ward greater measures of preven- ton, especially where proven ir1- munizing procedures exist. the State Department of Health said in its weekly bulletin to-day.
 Tn the bulletin, the department listed the number of cases of var ious diseases for each year in the past decade, including 1895, and made the following comment on the record:
 Diphtheria
 Owing to the general application of immunization procedures among children the incidence of diphtheria has declined greatly during the ten. year period. The 259 cases reported last year, however represent an in- crease of 97 cases over the 142 re- ported the preceding year. This in- crease is accounted for chiefly by the occurrence of diphtheria in communities not 50 well immunized as they might have been. Diphtheria can be controlled by the inmuniz- ation of children.
 Bacillary Dysentery
 The l40 and l42 cases of bacillary dysentery reported for the past two years represents Q decided increase over the number reported for the preceding eight years which varied from two to 20 cases per year. This increase appears to be due in part at least to the recognition of mild cases not previously recognized.
 Measles
 Last year was measles year" with 24,497 cases reported in Connecticut, the largest number ever reported in the history of the state. The next largest number was 17,078 cases re- ported in 1928. A smaller peak was reached in 1881 with l2,868 cases reported. There is no immunizing procedure available for measles like toxoid for diphtheria or vaccine for smallpox. However, an attack of measles may be prevented or modi- fed by certain procedures the phy- slcian may apply after Q child is exposed to the disease and before the symptoms develop.
 Psratyphoid Fever
 The 8i cases of partayphoid fever reported last year represent the largest number reported in any one of the past ten years. About half of these cases occurred in two milk borne outbreaks during the year.
 Infantyie Paralysis
 The 402 cases of infantile paraly- sis reported last year represent the third largest number reported in Connecticut for any one of the past 25 years. The largest number of cases reported in this period to- tailed 1.136 reported in 1881. The next largest number for the % year period totalled 05l cases re- ported in 1916. No satisfactory method of immunization against poliomyelitis or infantile paralysis has yet been developed.
 Smallpox
 No cases of smallpox have been reported in Connecticut for the past two years. The number of cases re- ported for six out of the past ten years varied from two in 1926 to TO in 1928. Before vaccination smallpox was 6 disease of children as common as measles. The effect of vaccination in preventing smallpox may be judged by comparing the number of cases of measles and smallpox reported.
 TrichinOsis
 The number of trichinosis cases reported in Connecticut for the past ten years has gradually risen from two in 1928 to high point of 20 in 1895. The prevention of trichi- nosis is entirely in the hands of the family cook. All that is necessary to do to prevent the disease is to thoroughly cook all pork designed for human consumption.
 Tuberculosis
 While the cases of pulmonary tuberculosis are on the decline, those of other forms of tuberculosis have declined more rapidly in the past ten years. This more rapid de- cline is attributed to lessened in- lection with the bovine type of tue berculosis obtained from raw milk. The tuberculin testing of cattle with