The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1944-02-13
Public Health Program
Cuts Disease Rate Here

general progress in health activi-
ties all over the country. This has
been a gradual change from en-
phasis on cure to emphasis on pre-
vention. It is illustrated by the
fact that the first and only person
designated to health work in 1879,
the superintendent, had as his du-
ties the supervision of such coun-
ty institutions as the county home,
Jail, house of correction, and pest
house, and the care of other poor,
needing medical attention. Very
little was done toward the proven
ton of diseases and the preserva-
ton of good health, principal OBJ
jectives and accomplishments in
the programs of present day pub
lie health. Even vaccination, as a
preventive measure was unheard
of in those days of beginning
health work.
Merged In 1914
The health activities were car
ried out separately for city and
county from 1893 to 1914, although
different efforts were made to con-
solidate the two during that time.
In 1913, the General Assembly of
North Carolina enacted a law CIV
ing a special charter to the Con-
solidated Board of New Hanover
County and City of Wilmington. At
this time, the office was moved
to the county courthouse. There it
remained until July 1913, when it
moved into it's new building on
Fourth Street between Market and
P9incess SITS.
Universal vaccination for such
diseases as smallpox, diphtheria
and typhoid fever; improvement
in water supplies and sewage dis
posal; sanitary production and
handling of milk and other food
stuffs; the war on mosquitoes to
control malaria; improved case
finding of early tuberculosis with
proper care to prevent further
spreading of the disease: the re-
duction of maternal and infant
deaths; the campaigns against
rats, spreader of typhus fever;
concentrated control programs in
venereal disease; and the educa-
ton of the general public mark
definite landmarks in the progress
of public health in New Hanover
County.
Although Edward Jenne- had
successfully produced the vaccine
virus in 1776 to prevent smallpox,
it was only used in the early 1900 S
to vaccinate persons exposed to
the disease. Cases of smallpox
were then as usual as measles or
chickenpox in New Hanover coun-
ty as elsewhere This is shown by
the necessity to maintain pest
| houses for smallpox victims. The
peak of the smallpox epidemic
came here in Wilmington in about
| 1911. According to the report Of
the Health Department in January
| 1911, there were 1872 cases of small
| pox reported for that one month
/ A thorough vaccination program
followed in which an estimated 80,
OOH vaccinations, including some
revaccinations were administered
from Sept. 1910 to March. 1911, ir
New Hanover county. The effec
tiveness of vaccination for small
/ pox is evidenced by the fact thai
not single case was reported ir
New Hanover county in 1913, con
sidering also that the population
has more than tripled since 1910
Similarly, diphtheria and typhoid
took great toll in these early years
following 1900. In July, 1911, there
were 1872 reported cases of typhoid
in this county as compared to only
3 cases for all the year 1913. A
typical monthly report from the
superintendent of Health in 1909
shows 81 cases of diphtheria for
the month, whereas, We only had
IL cases for all of 1913, consider
ing again the great increase in
population. Successful vaccination,
quarantine, and sanitary improve
NETS have been responsible for
this great reduction in typhoid and
diphtheria.
Malaria Common
Chills and fever indicating ma
laria, were common among the
residents of New Hanover county
before and after 1900. This excerpt
from the County Superintendent OF
Health's report to the county com.
missioners in August of 1900
proves this: "Malaralial symp.
toms are common among the men
of the convict camp, but they yield
readily to treatment, in fact, ma.
laralial diseases have been very
prevalent among the general pop.
ulation." Steps toward malaria
control were gradually undertak.
en-. From the March, 1919 min.
utes: the Board of Health of New
Hanover County recommended
/ that the city drain all ponds anc
low places in streets and on city
property and require property
owners to do the same on private
property" The minutes of the
County Commissioners in April
1911, bear the following statement:
''The war on mosquitoes as re.
cnnf1v q oifo%o, L,xy ~. Coro,;- wy,