Evening star., 1944-01-16

RuhldndReports
Cites Army Letter
Louding D. c. Steps
For VenereoI Control
DR.. George G. Ruhland, District
health ofncer, last night reported
that despite exaggerated" claims
concerning poor health conditions
In the District, final 1943 figures
show that the city either main
tanned or improved its 1912 health
record-the best until then in the
history Of Washington.
At the same time, DR.. Ruhland
quoted letter from Maj. Gen. John
T. Lewis, commanding general of
the Military District of Washington,
saying that I'VE consider = the
energetic measures in venereal dis
ease control by the local Heath De-
partment are valuable contribu-
ton to the health of this command
and to the war effort.
1--WE trust that the excellent work
Of your venereal disease control divi-
sion will continue with growing ef-
fectiveness," Gen. Lewis letter con-
cluded.
The of1icial figures released yes
terday varied only few tenths
from estimates of the Districts
health record made by The Star last
Tuesday.
The general death rate Of 10.7
for each 1000 population, DR.. Ruh-
land reported, compares to a rate
Of 1913 for 1912 and represents q
drop OF 24.5 per cent from 1885 to
1912, as compared to a SIS per cent
drop in the Nation as a whole for
the same period.
Infant and maternal mortality
rates, as well as death rates for
tuberculosis, pneumonia, typhoid
fever and diphtheria, also were
the lowest in the city's history. The
birth rate increased from ISL for
each 1000 population in 1912 tc
25.9 in 1943, the highest birth rate
in District history.
Births Rise 2,035.
The number Of births increased
by 2,035 last year over the previous
year, making a total of 23,352 fol
1943. However, the report stated
the number of births during the
last three months of 1943 were less
than for the same period in 1912
indicating decline IN the locaI
rate.
The only epidemic diseases tc
show increases, DR.. Rutland said
were either associated with ma
tional outbreaks, as in the CASE
of influenza and meningitis, or were
more prevalent because they Occur
in cycles, as in the case of whoopine
cough and measles. The rabies epi.
demic among dogs was the first IL
decade. 1t resulted in the deatf
of one person. The number of rabie
animals totaled 104 for the year.
Considering wartime conditions
DR.. Rutland said the 1943 health
picture as viewed from the stand
point of the death rates, was much
better than expected.
In regard to venerea1 diseases, DR.
Rutland said the year saw the city
move forward to a better rank thar
other cities, and the opening of tn,
rapid-treatment center at Gallingel
Municipal Hospital, with 100 beds
gave the city up-to-date facilitie.
for combating venereal diseases.
Already $50 persons have received
the accelerated venereal-disease
treatments. DR.. Rutland said, "a o.
whom were given the five-day treat
ment. Night clinics were opened last
May in the Polk School Clinic, Sew.
enth and P street NV. That wa.
the first time night service was
available in that area.
| New Clinic Is Opened.
Maternal and child health activi.
ties were expanded with the opening
of new clinic at the Stoddert
Dwellings in Southeast Washington
bringing the total of neighborhooo
clinics to Is. Whooping cough vac
cinations were introduced in the de-
partment" clinics, the report said
as a routine protection for child
health. Maternity and infant care
programs for wives of servicemer
were launched In 1943, with 16O local
physicians and several hospitals tax.
ing part.
Other new clinics established dur.
ing the year, Dr. Rutland said, in
cluded five dental clinics for pre-
school children. He also reported
the food inspection service had i'm.
proved conditions in local restau-
rants through rigid enforcement oi
laws and educational campaigns
and that 23,483 meteorological ex.
aminations of eating utensils col
lected from local restaurants hac
been examined. an increase Of 61.t
per cent over the previous year.
A summary Of major categories ir
District and United States death
rates:
General death rate (total death.
per 1000 population District
1912, 1913; 1943, lot; United State.
1912, 10.4.
Infant mortality rate (per 1,O0t
live births): District-1942, 44.8
1943, 40.6; United States-1942, 4O.4
Maternal mortality rate tper 100(
live births) District-1942, %;
1943, 1.9; United States-1942, 26.
Pneumonia mortality rate (peI
/ 100000 population) District
1912, 600; 1943, 59.4; United States
1912, 47.6.
tuberculosis mortality 100000
population): District-l942, 1913;
1943, 669; United States-1942, 43.1
Diphtheria tper 100 1000 popula-
tom: District-1942, 0.4; 1943, o.;
United States-1942, 10.
Typhoid fever (per 100000 popu-
lation District-1942, 0.4; 1943, O2;
United States-1942, 06.
Child in fire Leaps