Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1939-07-28
THREE GROUPS
OF DISEASES
PROVE FATAL
Ninety-Seven Percent Of Deaths
Due To What Is Known
AS Catching Diseases
PHYSICIANS URGED TO
REPORT SUCH MALADIES

Three groups of diseases measles
and other so-called children's diseases;
the respiratory diseases-influenz
tuberculosis and the pneumonias; and
the venereal diseases respon-
sible for over 81 per cent 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 rest was
scattered among the fifty or more
other diseases on the reportable list.
The report as summarized by DR..
r. II. Riley, Director of the Depart
ment follows: tsFrom january 1 to
June 30, inclusive, of this year, 33,928
cases of communicable diseases were
reported to the Department; 3,40S
from Baltimore City and 10,520 from
the counties. During the same period
of 1888, there were 22,927 cases re-
ported; 1916 from Baltimore City,
and 1851 from the counties. The
measles epidemic of last winter was
responsible for this years high total.
"There were 14,147 cases of measles
reported during the first six months
of the year in comparison with 1,645
during the same period of 1888. Scar
let fever with GIG cases, whooping
cough S21, diphtheria SO, chickenpox,
German measles and mumps with a
combined total of over $500 cases,
brought the total for the socalled chill
dren's diseases for the half year, up
to nearly 10000 cases.
"Over 5000 cases of the respiratory
diseases were reported-1,098 Of in
fluenza; 1868 Of tuberculosis; and
1900 Of the pneumonias, in compari-
son with 373 of Influenza; LIZA of
tuberculosis and 2,129 of the pneu-
monias, during the corresponding per-
iod of 1888. The venereal diseases
were charged with over 5000 cases;
6,447 Of syphilis and 1,610 of gonor-
rhea in comparison with 6,625 cases
of syphilis and LILO of gonorrhea
during the first six months of 1888.
Typhoid fever, with only 35 cases
reported since the first of the year,
reached a new low mark for that
diseases. There were also 80 cases of
Rocky Mountain spotted fever (tick-
bite fever), and % Of undulant fever
which is usually contracted through
the use of unpastuerized milk from in
fected cattle, in comparison with 55
of typhoid, 20 Of Rocky Mountain
spotted fever, and % of undulant few
er during the first half Of 1888.
"The total for the first six months
of 1889 also included 81 cases of Vim
cents angina ("trench mouth"), 2 of
malaria and IL Of pellegra. The re-
cord for poliomyelitis (infantile par
alysis) is entirely blank. No cases
Of that disease have been reported
so far, this year.
"Practicing physicians are asked to
report all cases of communicable
diseases they attend or that are
brought to their attention, to the near
est county or city health officer, or
to the State Department of Health, in
order that the necessary measures for
prevention or control may be gotten
under way without delay. The COM
pleteness Of the reporting depends, Of
course, upon the interest and willing
ness of the physicians to cooperate.
AS our records indicate, the health
authorities in Maryland have had such
cooperation to a marked degree"
Miss Marian Jean Vessels is spend