Evening star., 1943-09-28
Ruh|and Reports
Health Record
Good for Year
Death Rote Lowest
In City's History;
Birth Rate High

| sRs
Despite wartime crowding, Wash
ington had good health record
during the past calendar year, &C.
cording to the annual report OF
Health Officer George G. Ruhland
released last night by the Commis-
sioners.
Bearing out tentative reports pub
lished earlier, final tabulations for
1912 showed the general death rate
was the lowest in the Districts his
tory while the birth rate was the
highest recorded in the past so years
There was no major epidemic and
communicable disease showed q
lower incidence than in prior years.
Computed on the basis of an esti-
mated 1912 midyear population OF
$4,000, the death rate dropped to
1913 per 1000 population from lis
in 1941 and 1873 in 1910. The birth
rate climbed to 25.2 per 1000 popula-
ton, with 81 ,317 babies born as COM
pared with 1880 the year before.
Mortality Rates.
The mortality rates for both
mothers and the newborn declined
to new low levels, for infants from
51.2 per 1000 live births in l941 to
44.8 last year; and for mothers, from
81 in 1941 to % last year. In 1899
the maternal mortality rate was 49,
The tuberculosis mortality rate
was 72.8 per 100, 900. also the lowest
in the city's history, declining from
76.9 in 1941. In 1896, tuberculosis
claimed lot deaths per 100, 1000 popu-
lation. Pneumonia mortality also
continued to decline, the rate being
so per 100,0 900 last year as against
64.8 in 1941 and 80.2 in 1910. Typhoid
fever claimed but two deaths and
diphtheria three. There were IA
deaths from meningitis, 20, from
whooping cough and "a from in
fiuenZa, but none from measles or
poliomyelitis.
The report. written prior to the
recent opening of the Gallinger
Hospital investigation ordered BY
the Senate, includes praise for the
hospitals dietary department, but
also speaks of mental turmoil
among hospital workers as of last
year.
Comments on Hospital Diet.
Speaking of the hospital dietary
department, DR.. Ruhland said:
The presence of several additional
dieticians has permitted more effec-
tive inspection of and close attention
to the quality of meal service, with
the result that the number of COM
plants arising during the year has
been the lowest on record.
"The increase in costs of COM
modities prohibited the furnishing
of luxurious food service, but it had
been continuously possible to sup
ply an adequate quantity of nutri-
tious, palatable and varied foods in
keeping with the seasons and the
actual needs Of the various patient
groups"
On this point, the health officer
said 1t was unfortunate that 1t had
been impossible to consummate
plans for expansion of the main
hospital kitchen, for which Congress
had approved an appropriation OF
$78,500, due to wartime priorities.
Turmoil at Gallnger.
As to Gallinger generally, DR..
Rutland concluded: "As would be
expected under wartime conditions
a state OF mental turmoil and un-
certainty has existed among the
personnel, with the result that pro-
portionate progress present in pre-
ceding years was not made in 1912
This does not imply that certain
forward-looking steps have not
been taken or that considerable i'm
provements and progress have been
noted. 1t simply means that the
amount of progress, sound and sub
stantial in nature, has not been
made under existing circumstances
In an amount that would ordinarily
be expected.
For the first time in four years
the average daily occupancy of the
hospital did not show a significant
increase in patients. On the con-
trary, the average occupancy was
lowered by approximately 65 pa
tients. 1t Is also striking that
for the second time in the history OF
the hospital the anomalous condi-
ton of having ample funds with
which to employ personnel and yet
being unable to find them was pres
ent. Throughout the year it was
impossible, in spite of all efforts, to
fill all the position for which funds
were available"
DR. Ruhland reported that ap-
proximately II per cent of all the
infants born In the District in 1942
were delivered at Gallinger and that
only two mothers died, one being an
abortion case. Abortion cases con-
stituted about one-eighth of women
taken to Gallinger and admitted tc
the obstetrical division, he said.
Venereal Disease Problem.
In connection with the venerea,
disease problem, 1t was pointed out
that so beds for infected women
now are available and another sc
will be ready on October IS. This
| WOO OH vi SClltly
recommended by DR.. Ruhland last
year. He explained that such facil-
tiles were necessary to keep these
women until they could be rendered
noninfectious.
While the health officer reported
a considerable reduction in the total
number of venereal disease cases
reported in 1912 as against 1941, he
said the number of syphilis cases re-
ported last year was 6,272, or an in.
crease of Is per cent over 1941
Partly, he said, this was due to the
large number of new cases found
in the 'selective service and the mill
tary contact programs.
From l to IL women arrested
during the night on various charges
are given medical examinations
each morning at the Police Depart
ment Women's Bureau clinic, ano
when found with venereal disease
| In fnction aro oiVop fra,a 7 ant H,,ro