Evening star., 1952-10-05

s~~1 sSusSS NSIsSSl
Biggest Drop Ever
Recorded Here
The tuberculosis death rate in
the District during 1851 dropped
29.8 per cent over 1850. the larg-
est decrease ever recorded here in
any 12-month period.
DIR. Daniel L. Seckinger. health
officer. made the report in his
resume for the Commits
sioners released yesterday.
Deaths from all forms of the
disease totaled 293-still the fifth
largest killer in the city, after
heart disease, cancer, vascular
LESSONS and accidents. in that
order.
While pleased over what he
called a Sharply significant" de-
cline in the tuberculosis death
rate, DR.. Seckinger warned that
the disease still causes more deaths
than any other communicable
disease here.
Early Detection Stressed.
''It should be recognized" the
health officer emphasized, "that
the ultimate goal is prevention of
the disease rather than only the
prevention Of deaths. Much ef-
fort Is still necessary to find cases
early since, as in all diseases, early
detection means early cure"
DIR. Seckinger reported that the
death rate drop to 35.5 per 100, 900
population marked the greatest
rate decline in all causes of death
during the year.
He said the rate reduction gives
hope that with improved medical
and surgical techniques, greater
use Of the antimicrobal agents,
and increased activity in case
finding projects, supported by
more enlightened public under
standing and cooperation with
medical and health agencies, there
can be an even lower tuberculosis
death rate than that recorded in
1851"
UnderScoring his warning of the
need for further and greater
vigilance. however, DR.. Seckinger
reminded that tuberculosis is the
first cause of death among those
from age is to "a years.
In recent years, he said, from
l 500 to 1000 new cases have been
discovered here yearly. More than
5000 cases altogether are regis
tered in the Health Department.
Second Highest in US.
The tuberculosis mortality rate
lin Washington ranks second
highest in the United States among
cities of a 100000 or more popula-
ton. The rate here is about twice
that of the national rate.
Between 1900 and 1,400 of
these are hospitalized. mostly in
facilities. Nearly $4,000
patients, or their contacts, we're
brought under public health nurs-
ing care. an increase of 4.400 over
1850. The nursing workload went
up by 1000 visits to 43,300.
New patients admitted to mu-
|nicipal tuberculosis hospitals last
year totaled 781. Another 1873
were waiting admittance at the
years end.
The general death rate for Dis
trict residents was slightly lower
than that of 1850. The 8,429 re-
corded brought the rate down o.
per cent to 10.1 per cent.
Birth Rate Down Slightly.
The birth rate dropped a shade,
too. But the 1875 births resulted
in an overall natural" population
increase of 1856. The birth rate
was 23.5 per 1000 population.
Other highlights of the health
report include:
The cancer detection clinic
made 1.469 examinations, 1853
more than in 1850. OF these, can
Ger was diagnosed in only II.
Nearly So per cent of school
children examined under school
dental program had defective
teeth. In physical examinations
made by the school medical in
spection service, 81 per cent of
the children checked were found
to have defects, ranging from
bad teeth to nervous disorders
and cross-eyes.