- Email: [email protected]
NEW YORK.
1354 kitchens and the
apartments for the staff
forward separated from the
will be henceIt is and to enlarge
principal building.
intended also to provide a consultation the garden of the establishment.
room
Nov. 2nd.
NEW YORK. (FROM
OUR OWN
CORRESPONDENT.)
Report of the Surgeon. General of the United States Army. Surgeon-General O’Reilly states in his report to the Secretary of War that during the year ending June 30th, 1907, the health of the army compared favourably with The death-rate was 6’ 11 per 1000 the preceding year. of strength last year, compared with 6’ 28 in the previous
year, and 14’ 62 from 1898 to 1904. The death-rate for disease last year was 3’ 28, being the lowest since the occupation of tropical countries. Tuberculosis was the most fatal cause of deaths in the army, being 0’ 77 per 1000. Typhoid fever ranks next in fatality but there seems to be a gradual improvement during the past two or three years in its prevalence. The sickness rate from malaria is on the increase, due apparently to the failure to protect from mosquitoes by screens in the Philippines. It is reported that in the department of the Visayas no hospital is screened and in the department of Luzon only three buildings or parts of buildings are thus protected. Venereal disease still has the lead in affecting the efficiency of the army. The admission rate for alcoholism has increased from 30’ 22 per 1000 to 32’ 27. This increase is attributed to the abolition of the canteen. Surgeon-General O’Reilly remarks : ’’ This office concurs in the opinion expressed by most medical officers of the army that the abolition of the sale of beer in post exchanges has had much to do with the increase of venereal disease and alcoholism in the army." The medical service of the army is so unattractive that the number of applicants is steadily diminishing, only 24 having appeared at the last examination. SurgeonGeneral O’Reilly says :’’ The Army Medical Service has lost much of its attraction for the bright young graduates from our best medical schools and unless a remedy is applied it will be impossible to fill vacancies without lowering the present standard of qualification." An Object Lesson in Sanitation. The Jamestown Exhibition has been the subject of much advelse criticism, owing to the imperfections of its management as to details. There is, however, on the grounds adjacent an encampment of United States troops which attracts much attention for the perfection of the details of its management. Camp John Smith is located It is on lands devoted to the cultivation of peanuts. marshy, near the shore of the Chesapeake Bay, and only a few feet above tide level. Here, in the open and exposed to the summer sun, are encamped a regiment of infantry, a battery of artillery, and a squadron of cavalry. The conditions of soil, location, and surroundings combine to adapt this camp for the cultivation of flies and mosquitoes, the carriers of infectious diseases, and for the prevalence in their most malignant forms of malaria, typhoid fever, and dysentery. To add to the unhealthiness of the camp the horses of the cavalry and artillery are stabled not fifty yards from the quarters of the men. But during the summer this camp has been free from flies and mosquitoes, although they have swarmed in the kitchens of the restaurants within the grounds. The health of the soldiers has been good throughout the season. The explanation of this exemption of the camp from the pests-flies and mosquitoes-and malaria and enteric diseases is that the camp is under a perfect system Outside the camp is a crematory in which of sanitation. every particle of garbage and refuse is burned twice daily; the mess shelters and kitchens are screened with wire netting, the tents are also screened, and over each bed is hung a mosquito bar under which each man and officer must sleep under pain of court martial ; the grounds were all drained and all standing pools of water were treated with oil at frequent intervals ; and finally the water used by the soldiers Thus this camp has been an object lesson of was boiled. the value of thorough sanitation of the homes of the people,
of far-reaching importance to thousands of visitors to the Jamestown Exhibition.
Physioal Welfare of committee on the physical
School Children. welfare of school children
A has had 1400 such children examined by competent physicians in New York, who report that the prevailing affections from which they are suffering are malnutrition, enlarged glands, and defective breathing. Applying these findings to all of the school children of the city the result would be, suffering from malnutrition 48,000, from enlarged glands 187,000, and from defective breathing 230,000, a total of 465,000. The object of this report is to lay the foundation for a systematic method of examination and treatment of school children suffering from various forms of ill-health. Briefly, the committee would secure the establishment of departments of school hygiene in connexion with boards of education, the duty of which it should be to see that school buildings are so constructed and conducted that they cannot produce or aggravate physical defects and that the school curriculum should be so devised and executed as neither to produce nor to aggravate them ; to study the effect of school environment on the child; and to teach hygiene so that the children will themselves cultivate habits of health.
Registration of Fital Statistics in the United States. Cressy L. Wilbur, chief statistician, Bureau of Census, U.S., states that in 1895 there were only eight States in which there were registrations of deaths and in 1907 the number had increased to 15. In 1895 the registration of births was not made in any State and in 1907 the registration areas of births was represented by only a few interrogation marks in three States. It is estimated that in the light of experience of the slow progress in the past the United States could not have a satisfactory system of registration of vital statistics, including both births and deaths and covering the entire country, much before the middle of the present century. The Bureau of Census has prepared a standard certificate of death to secure uniformity of the data collected, yet many States and cities continue to employ old forms the variety of which is multitudinous, while in other cases the standard blanks have been changed so that the information obtained is frequently entirely different from what it Dr.
purports
to be when returned to the bureau.
Dr. Wilbur
regards the general indifference of registration officials to the necessity of securing accurate statements of the causes of death as the most discouraging feature in the effort to establish throughout the entire country a trustworthy system of registration of vital statistics. -
Treatment of Inebriates. The New York School of Philanthropy is investigating the present facilities for the treatment of inebriates in New York with a view to provide for their care. At present the principal hospitals have alcoholic wards situated generally in some out-of-the-way place as an outbuilding, basement, or attic, which is rarely visited and which consists of cells furnished with only a cast-off cot. Of the number of inebriates who reach the hospitals of the city some estimate may be made from the statement of the medical superintendent of the Bellevue Hospital that of the patients admitted to the hospital in 1906 6453, or 25 per cent. of the total number admitted, were treated for various forms of alcoholism.
Imprisoned for Selling Cocaine. The practice of selling cocaine without prescription has been productive of great harm and stringent laws have been enacted against it. But these laws have not often been enforced. Recently a druggist in New York was arrested for the crime, and on trial was convicted and sentenced to imprisonment for six months. The result has been very beneficial in the prevention of the practice of retailing this and similar drugs to the public.
Abolishing a Railroad Nuisanoe. The Health Commissioner of Pennsylvania has issued an order forbidding porters on the railroads ’to brush the clothes of passengers in the aisles of the cars. This practice of porters, for the purpose of securing a fee, has long been tolerated by the public but is now to be abolished as a nuisance. Oct. 19th.
apartments for the staff
forward separated from the
will be henceIt is and to enlarge
principal building.
intended also to provide a consultation the garden of the establishment.
room
Nov. 2nd.
NEW YORK. (FROM
OUR OWN
CORRESPONDENT.)
Report of the Surgeon. General of the United States Army. Surgeon-General O’Reilly states in his report to the Secretary of War that during the year ending June 30th, 1907, the health of the army compared favourably with The death-rate was 6’ 11 per 1000 the preceding year. of strength last year, compared with 6’ 28 in the previous
year, and 14’ 62 from 1898 to 1904. The death-rate for disease last year was 3’ 28, being the lowest since the occupation of tropical countries. Tuberculosis was the most fatal cause of deaths in the army, being 0’ 77 per 1000. Typhoid fever ranks next in fatality but there seems to be a gradual improvement during the past two or three years in its prevalence. The sickness rate from malaria is on the increase, due apparently to the failure to protect from mosquitoes by screens in the Philippines. It is reported that in the department of the Visayas no hospital is screened and in the department of Luzon only three buildings or parts of buildings are thus protected. Venereal disease still has the lead in affecting the efficiency of the army. The admission rate for alcoholism has increased from 30’ 22 per 1000 to 32’ 27. This increase is attributed to the abolition of the canteen. Surgeon-General O’Reilly remarks : ’’ This office concurs in the opinion expressed by most medical officers of the army that the abolition of the sale of beer in post exchanges has had much to do with the increase of venereal disease and alcoholism in the army." The medical service of the army is so unattractive that the number of applicants is steadily diminishing, only 24 having appeared at the last examination. SurgeonGeneral O’Reilly says :’’ The Army Medical Service has lost much of its attraction for the bright young graduates from our best medical schools and unless a remedy is applied it will be impossible to fill vacancies without lowering the present standard of qualification." An Object Lesson in Sanitation. The Jamestown Exhibition has been the subject of much advelse criticism, owing to the imperfections of its management as to details. There is, however, on the grounds adjacent an encampment of United States troops which attracts much attention for the perfection of the details of its management. Camp John Smith is located It is on lands devoted to the cultivation of peanuts. marshy, near the shore of the Chesapeake Bay, and only a few feet above tide level. Here, in the open and exposed to the summer sun, are encamped a regiment of infantry, a battery of artillery, and a squadron of cavalry. The conditions of soil, location, and surroundings combine to adapt this camp for the cultivation of flies and mosquitoes, the carriers of infectious diseases, and for the prevalence in their most malignant forms of malaria, typhoid fever, and dysentery. To add to the unhealthiness of the camp the horses of the cavalry and artillery are stabled not fifty yards from the quarters of the men. But during the summer this camp has been free from flies and mosquitoes, although they have swarmed in the kitchens of the restaurants within the grounds. The health of the soldiers has been good throughout the season. The explanation of this exemption of the camp from the pests-flies and mosquitoes-and malaria and enteric diseases is that the camp is under a perfect system Outside the camp is a crematory in which of sanitation. every particle of garbage and refuse is burned twice daily; the mess shelters and kitchens are screened with wire netting, the tents are also screened, and over each bed is hung a mosquito bar under which each man and officer must sleep under pain of court martial ; the grounds were all drained and all standing pools of water were treated with oil at frequent intervals ; and finally the water used by the soldiers Thus this camp has been an object lesson of was boiled. the value of thorough sanitation of the homes of the people,
of far-reaching importance to thousands of visitors to the Jamestown Exhibition.
Physioal Welfare of committee on the physical
School Children. welfare of school children
A has had 1400 such children examined by competent physicians in New York, who report that the prevailing affections from which they are suffering are malnutrition, enlarged glands, and defective breathing. Applying these findings to all of the school children of the city the result would be, suffering from malnutrition 48,000, from enlarged glands 187,000, and from defective breathing 230,000, a total of 465,000. The object of this report is to lay the foundation for a systematic method of examination and treatment of school children suffering from various forms of ill-health. Briefly, the committee would secure the establishment of departments of school hygiene in connexion with boards of education, the duty of which it should be to see that school buildings are so constructed and conducted that they cannot produce or aggravate physical defects and that the school curriculum should be so devised and executed as neither to produce nor to aggravate them ; to study the effect of school environment on the child; and to teach hygiene so that the children will themselves cultivate habits of health.
Registration of Fital Statistics in the United States. Cressy L. Wilbur, chief statistician, Bureau of Census, U.S., states that in 1895 there were only eight States in which there were registrations of deaths and in 1907 the number had increased to 15. In 1895 the registration of births was not made in any State and in 1907 the registration areas of births was represented by only a few interrogation marks in three States. It is estimated that in the light of experience of the slow progress in the past the United States could not have a satisfactory system of registration of vital statistics, including both births and deaths and covering the entire country, much before the middle of the present century. The Bureau of Census has prepared a standard certificate of death to secure uniformity of the data collected, yet many States and cities continue to employ old forms the variety of which is multitudinous, while in other cases the standard blanks have been changed so that the information obtained is frequently entirely different from what it Dr.
purports
to be when returned to the bureau.
Dr. Wilbur
regards the general indifference of registration officials to the necessity of securing accurate statements of the causes of death as the most discouraging feature in the effort to establish throughout the entire country a trustworthy system of registration of vital statistics. -
Treatment of Inebriates. The New York School of Philanthropy is investigating the present facilities for the treatment of inebriates in New York with a view to provide for their care. At present the principal hospitals have alcoholic wards situated generally in some out-of-the-way place as an outbuilding, basement, or attic, which is rarely visited and which consists of cells furnished with only a cast-off cot. Of the number of inebriates who reach the hospitals of the city some estimate may be made from the statement of the medical superintendent of the Bellevue Hospital that of the patients admitted to the hospital in 1906 6453, or 25 per cent. of the total number admitted, were treated for various forms of alcoholism.
Imprisoned for Selling Cocaine. The practice of selling cocaine without prescription has been productive of great harm and stringent laws have been enacted against it. But these laws have not often been enforced. Recently a druggist in New York was arrested for the crime, and on trial was convicted and sentenced to imprisonment for six months. The result has been very beneficial in the prevention of the practice of retailing this and similar drugs to the public.
Abolishing a Railroad Nuisanoe. The Health Commissioner of Pennsylvania has issued an order forbidding porters on the railroads ’to brush the clothes of passengers in the aisles of the cars. This practice of porters, for the purpose of securing a fee, has long been tolerated by the public but is now to be abolished as a nuisance. Oct. 19th.