VITAL STATISTICS.

The records of vital statistics are, in a way, the bookkeeping of public health. We are often called upon by different interested parties to give the number of deaths covering a certain period of years from a given cause. The people who ask for this information are entitled to it; yet in many instances it is impossible for this office to give it without spending considerable time going over our records. The data is all on file, but not in such form that figures can be given at any time. It is now impossible to have such records made up to date, because of the fact that the clerical force in the office is not able to do all the required work.

For years, the appropriation made by the legislature has not covered the expense incurred in carrying on the work of the vital statistics division. The law requires the State Board of Health to give copies of all the records of births and deaths to the various clerks of court throughout the state on or before the first of March of each succeeding year. Because of the fact that the last legislature did not make sufficient appropriation for this work, it became the duty of the state registrar to inform the clerks of court throughout the state in the spring of 1914 that the records for that year could not be copied and sent them at the end of the year. How far this will discommode the attorneys and various county officials throughout the state is yet to be seen.

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Simply making copies of these records is a large task. During the year 1913 there were reported to this office 51,396 births and 24,395 deaths. the original reports must be checked up carefully to see to it that they are in proper form. To put them into proper form means the writing of several thousand special letters each year, and the sending out of probably half as many form letters. The copies for the clerk of court cannot be made until the originals are properly filled out.

Minnesota was admitted into the registration group of states by the United States Census Bureau at Washington on its 1910 returns as relates to deaths, but it is not yet in the registration group of states as relates to births. The law is specific enough. The reason that the state is not in the registration group of births is because certain doctors and midwives do not comply with the law. It has been necessary from time to time to go into certain districts and check up the returns, and file complaint against those who have neglected to make reports. More of this should be done, urtil such time as all physicians, midwives and parents realize the importance of these records, and that the law must be carried out.

It is a disgrace to the state of Minnesota that its records of births are not sufficiently complete to be accepted by the census bureau at Washington. Nevertheless, there has been a great improvement in the returns, as shown by the following figures:

The increase of over 6,000 births between 1910 and 1913 is not by any means due to the increased population during these three years, but rather to the endless work of checking up in this office in order to secure complete returns. A special agent was employed for a time to enforce the law in relation to the reporting of births and deaths, but because of insufficient funds, the work of this agent had to be discontinued a year ago.

Parents are to some extent responsible for the incomplete returns of births. This is due in many cases to ignorance on their part concerning the value of the record. They should appreciate that the record may mean a great deal to the child after it grows up, and should insist upon it that the birth is properly recorded. When parents understand these matters better, they will undoubtedly insist upon it that the medical attendant, if one has been employed, makes a report of the case as required by law. When uo physician or midwife has been in attendance, the law requires the parents to report.

Minnesota in 1913 had a lower death rate than any other registration state, with the exception of Washington. The death rate in the registration area of the United States consisting of 24 states and 41 cities in non-registration states, was 14.1 per thousand population. The Minnesota death rate was 3.7 per thousand less than the average, or 10.4. In 1912 it was 9.5; in 1911, 10.5.

Certified copies of these records are being demanded more and more as legal proof in settling up estates, insurance adjustments, pension claims, etc., etc. For this reason, as well as for statistical purposes, sufficient funds should be appropriated in order to make the records what they should be.

VITAL STATISTICS.
Birth Reports.

Minnesota is not yet in the registration group of states for births. Although birth returns have been received since 1887 they are more or less incomplete. Births are reported in the following tables:

Total births by counties for 1912 and 1913, Tables I. and XXV.
Mortality Records.

The deaths for the calendar years 1912 and 1913 for preventable causes are as follows:

Total deaths from all causes classified by counties for 1912 and 1913, Tables II and XXV.

Tuberculosis:

a. Pulmonary, Tables III. and XXVII.

b. Non-pulmonary, Tables IV. and XXVIII.

Pneumonia:

a. Broncho, Tables V. and XXIX.

b. Labor, Tables VI. and XXX.

Bronchitis:

a. Acute, Tables VII. and XXXI.

b. Chronic, Tables VIII. and XXXII. Cancer, Tables IX. and XXXIII.

Diarrheal diseases of children:

a. Under two years, Tables X. and XXXIV.

b. Two to five years, Tables XI. and XXXV.
Typhoid fever, Tables XII. and XXXVI.
Diphtheria, Tables XIII. and XXXVII.

Scarlet fever, Tables XIV. and XXXVIII.
Whooping cough, XV. and XXXIX.
Measles, Tables XVI. and XL.
Smallpox, Tables XVII. and XLI.
Chickenpox, Table XVIII.

Rabies, Tables XIX. and XLII.

Epidemic anterior poliomyelitis, Tables XX. and XLIV. Epidemic cerebro-spinal meningitis, Tables XXI. and XLV.

Puerperal sepsis, Tables XXII. and XLVI.

Tetanus, Tables XXIII. and XLIII.

Accidents, Tables XXIV. and XLVII.