DEPARTMENT OF VITAL STATISTICS.

GEORGE D. LESLIE, STATISTICIAN.

VITAL STATISTICS FOR FEBRUARY.

Marriages. The marriages reported for February number 1,684, as compared with 1,594 for the same month last year. For an estimated State population of 2,056,190 in 1910, the February total represents an annual rate of 10.7, against 10.0 for January.

The February totals were highest for the following counties: Los Angeles, 355; San Francisco, 336; Alameda, 174; Marin, 92; Santa Clara, 67; Orange, 59; San Diego, 51; and Sacramento, 50.

The aggregate for San Francisco and the other bay counties (Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, and San Mateo) was 633.

Births. For February there were reported 2,454 living births, representing an annual birth-rate of 15.6 per 1,000 population, as compared with 14.2 for the preceding month. The corresponding total for the same month the year before was 2,318.

The totals were highest for the following counties: Los Angeles, 557; San Francisco, 501; Alameda, 258; Santa Clara, 107; Sacramento, 81; Fresno, 68; San Bernardino, 63; and Butte, 61.

Altogether, 1,525 births were registered in the twenty-six freeholders' charter cities, the leading cities being as follows: San Francisco, 501; Los Angeles, 417; Oakland, 171; Sacramento, 52; San Jose, 42; Fresno, 37; Berkeley, 35; Riverside, 30; Pasadena, 28; and Alameda, 27.

The aggregate for San Francisco and the transbay cities (Alameda. Berkeley, and Oakland) was 734, and for San Francisco and the other bay counties was 855. Similarly, the total for Los Angeles and neighboring chartered cities (Long Beach, Pasadena, and Santa Monica) was 469, and for the entire county was 580.

Deaths. Exclusive of stillbirths, altogether 2,605 deaths were reported for February, this number including 125 delayed certificates for deaths in January. The 2,605 deaths give an annual death-rate of 16.5, against 16.2 for the month before. The corresponding total for the same month last year was 2,486.

The February death totals were highest for the following counties: Los Angeles, 580; San Francisco, 502; Alameda, 278; Santa Clara, 111: Sacramento and San Bernardino, each 76; San Diego, 67; San Joaquin, 65; Sonoma, 58; and Fresno, 50.

There were altogether 1,519 deaths in the twenty-six chartered cities. the highest totals being as follows: San Francisco, 502; Los Angeles. 386; Oakland, 154; Sacramento, 54; San Diego, 53; San Jose. 46: Berkeley, 33; Pasadena, 32; Santa Barbara and Stockton, each 26; and Alameda, 25.

The aggregate for the urban district (San Francisco and the transbay cities) was 714, and for the entire metropolitan area (San Francisco and the other bay counties) was 836. Similarly, the total for Los Angeles

and neighboring chartered cities was 443, and for the whole county was 580.

Causes of Death.-For February there were reported 439 deaths, or 16.9 per cent of all, from various forms of tuberculosis, and 437, or 16.8 per cent, from diseases of the circulatory system, tuberculosis thus leading heart disease slightly.

Other notable causes of death in February were as follows: Diseases of the respiratory system, 301; violence, 241; diseases of the nervous system, 236; diseases of the digestive system, 189; Bright's disease and nephritis, 164; cancer, 133; and epidemic diseases, 118.

The deaths from epidemic diseases were as follows: Measles, 28; whooping-cough, 19; typhoid fever, 17; diphtheria and croup, 13; influenza 13; and all other epidemic diseases, 28. Typhoid fever, usually the leading epidemic disease, was surpassed for February by both measles and whooping-cough.

The 28 deaths from measles occurred in twelve counties, 13 being in Los Angeles County. The 19 deaths from whooping-cough occurred in eleven counties, 4 being in Los Angeles and 3 each in San Francisco and Santa Barbara counties.

The 17 deaths from typhoid were distributed among ten counties. as follows: Los Angeles, 4; Alameda, Kings, Placer, and San Francisco, each 2; and Napa, San Bernardino, Siskiyou, Sonoma, and Stanislaus, 1 each.

Further particulars appear in the following table:

Deaths from Certain Principal Causes, with Proportion per 1,000 Total Deaths for Current and Preceding Month, for California: February.

FOOD INSPECTION DECISION NO. 114.

THE LABELING OF "CARACAS COCOA."

The Board of Food and Drug Inspection has had under consideration for some time the question of the propriety of the use of the term "Caracas" as applied to cocoa coming from South America. Valuable information has been obtained through the Department of State in the form of a dispatch from the American consul at La Guayra, Venezuela, under date of September 30, 1909. In reply to a request from the Secretary of State for a report on the cocoa of Venezuela and its proper designation. the American consul states as follows:

In reply thereto I am informed that the term "Caracas cocoa" or "Caracas cacao" should properly, according to its original usage, be applied only to cacaos exported through the port of La Guayra, but through the extension of the industry and similarity of product it has become corrupted so as to cover all "current" or "ordinary" cacaos of Venezuela, including those coming from Rio Chico, Rio Caribe, Guiria, Carupano, and Higueroté. This has come about because of the parallel quality of these cacaos with those of the so-called "Caracas" district.

There are three Venezuelan districts usually found in current quotations of cacaos: Angostura, being the cacaos coming out of the lower Orinoco basin through Ciudad Bolivar: Caracas, those mentioned above; Maracaibo. those cacaos being exported through Maracaibo. Exports from La Guayra and Puerto Cabello, with the exception of perhaps 10,000 bags (mentioned below) cover only such cacaos as are generally known as "current," and therefore classified by importers in the United States as “Caracas."

There are some small districts lying between La Guayra and Puerto Cabello, known as Choroni, Ocumare, Cepe, and Chuao, turning out about 10,000 bags annually of a very high grade of cocoa, but this virtually all goes to Europe, principally to Paris, and is therefore not quoted in the ordinary "brokers" cocoa reports.

The cacaos from Carupano, Rio Caribe, and Higuerote are said to be of the same grade as these two latter. The Angosturas may be more or less a cent better in grade than the samples of "Caracas" sent herewith.

*

From what I can learn of the cacao situation I think the name "Caracas" has gotten to be more of a designation of the current class of Venezuelan cacao than to indicate the district of its production, and under the circumstances it seems the term has taken on the broader meaning suggested in the letter of the Secretary of Agriculture of August 30, 1909. To further indicate that this is true I beg to inclose a "Broker's cocoa report," from a New York commission house, wherein no other Venezuelan districts are named than Angostura, Caracas, and Maracaibo.

In House Documents, volume 65, serial 4844, Fifty-eighth Congress, page 155, is the following:

The cacao of Venezuela also finds a ready sale in the United States, in the markets of which it is known, like coffee, by the name of "Caracas" and "Maracaibo," the former embracing the cacao coming from Rio Caribe. Guiria, Carupano, Rio Chico, Higuerote, and other places on the eastern coast; the other grade comes from the States of Zulia, Merida, Trujillo, and Tachira.

This corresponds entirely with the views expressed by our consul at La Guayra.

After a consideration of this question, the Board is of the opinion that the term "Caracas" is properly applied to the area mentioned in the above quotation from House Documents, volume 65.

So many Notices of Judgments have been received at the State Laboratory during the last month that it is impossible to reprint even a résumé of all of them. They are, therefore, merely listed by titles, and any one interested in any particular number or numbers, can receive the same by addressing the Director of the State Laboratory, Berkeley, Cal.

Notice of Judgment No. 139.-Adulteration and Misbranding of Vanilla Extract. (Solution of artificial vanillin.)

Notice of Judgment No. 140.-Misbranding of Vanilla Extract. manufacture.)

Notice of Judgment No. 141.-Misbranding of Lemon Extract. of citral.)

(As to place of

(Low per cent

Notice of Judgment No. 142.-Adulteration hydrocyanic acid.)

of Almond Extract.

(Contains Notice of Judgment No. 143.-Adulteration and Misbranding of Strawberry Extract. (Artificial.)

Notice of Judgment No. 144.-Misbranding of a Drug Preparation. (Dr. Fahrney's Teething Syrup.) Contains 8.84 per cent alcohol by volume; chloroform, 0.408 minim per fluid ounce; morphine, 0.126 grain per fluid ounce. It was evident that the preparation was misbranded in violation of section 8 of the act because the statements, "Is the best remedy for teething," "A sure remedy for all ailments incident to babes from one day old to two or three years," "Contains nothing injurious to the youngest babe," and "No bad results from the continued use of it," were false, deceptive, and misleading, as it was not the best remedy for teething, was not a sure remedy for all ailments incident to babies, does contain injurious ingredients, viz., alcohol, chloroform, and morphine, and because bad results do follow from the continued use of it.

Notice of Judgment No. 145.-Adulteration of Seedless Raisins. The facts which led to the filing of the libel were as follows: An inspector of the United States Department of Agriculture found on the premises of the Connecticut Pie Company, at the corner of Wisconsin avenue and O streets, Washington, D. C., 150 boxes of infested seedless raisins, labeled as above described, samples of which were examined and found to be in a filthy, decomposed condition, and infested with worms and other animal matter.

Notice of Judgment No. 146.—Adulteration of Seedless Raisins. (Similar to No. 145.)

Notice of Judgment No. 147.-Adulteration and Misbranding of Lemon Extract. (Lemon oil deficient.)

Notice of Judgment No. 148.-Adulteration and Misbranding of Vanilla Extract. (Absence of extract of vanilla bean.)

Notice of Judgment No. 149.-Adulteration and Misbranding of Lemon Extract. (Absence of lemon oil.)

Notice of Judgment No. 150.-Adulteration and Misbranding of Terpeneless Lemon Extract. (Trace only of citral. Lemon oil absent.)

Notice of Judgment No. 151.-Adulteration of Vanilla Extract. (Total absence of soluble matters of the vanilla bean.)

Notice of Judgment No. 152.-Adulteration and Misbranding of Pineapple and Lemon Extract. (Lemon extract deficient. Artificially colored.)

Notice of Judgment No. 153.-Adulteration of Peaches.-On or about August 21, 1909, an inspector of the Department of Agriculture found in the possession of Henry L. Pern, at No. 1115 D street N. E., Washington. D. C., 35 boxes of peaches, each box containing 50 pounds, labeled "Le Rious Peaches." These goods

had been purchased by said Kern from the firm of Miller, Clagett Co., Washington. D. C., and were intended for use in the manufacture of pies. A sample of the peaches was collected by the inspector and submitted to the Bureau of Chemistry for examination, where it was found to be filthy, decomposed, mold covered, and infested with worms and unfit for human consumption.

Notice of Judgment No. 154.-Misbranding of Cheese.

full cream cheese.)

(Skim milk cheese, not

Notice of Judgment No. 155.-Misbranding of Baking Powder. (Underweight.) Notice of Judgment No. 156.—Adulteration and Misbranding of Tomato Catsup. (Sample found to contain filthy, decomposed, putrid vegetable substance, and to be made from tomato pulp screened from peelings and cores.

Notice of Judgment No. 157.-Adulteration and Misbranding of Powdered Asafotida. (Product mixed with ground nut hulls, etc.)

Notice of Judgment No. 158.-Adulteration and Misbranding of Peppers. (Added mixture of foreign seeds.)

Notice of Judgment No. 159.-Adulteration and Misbranding of Pepper. Pepper shells and extraneous matter (dirt).

Notice of Judgment No. 160.—Misbranding of Buchu Gin. (False claims as to medicinal value.)

Notice of Judgment No. 161.-Misbranding of Evaporated Apples. (Sample consisted of wormy and partly decayed fruit.)

Notice of Judgment No. 162.-Adulteration of Seedless Raisins. (Raisins infested with worms and other insects and so contaminated as to be unfit for use in foods.)

Notice of Judgment No. 163.-Misbranding of Mapleine. (Name misleading and deceiving.)

Notice of Judgment No. 164.-Misbranding of Pepper. (Added mixture of pepper and olive pits.)

Notice of Judgment No. 165.-Misbranding of Canned Peas. (Underweight.) Notice of Judgment No. 166.—Adulteration and Misbranding of Custard. (Substitution of corn starch for eggs.)

Notice of Judgment No. 167.-Misbranding of Macaroni. (As to place of manufacture.)

Notice of Judgment Nos. 168, 169, 187, 189, 193, 195, 197, 199.-Misbranding and Adulteration of Vinegars.

Notice of Judgment No. 170.-Misbranding of Corn Meal. of process.)

(Misrepresentation

Notice of Judgment Nos. 171, 172, 173, 174.-Adulteration and Misbranding of Stock Feed. (Foreign substance added. Low in protein, etc.)

Notice of Judgment No. 175.-Adulteration of Water. (Containing poisonous and deleterious ingredients.)

Notice of Judgment No. 176.-Adulteration of Confectionery. (Silver Dragees.) This Notice of Judgment is of special interest to candy manufacturers in California. The Laboratory has been in correspondence with several confectioners in connection with this very question, and the reply to all inquires has been that in accordance with the law, Silver Dragees must be classed as adulterated confectionery.

Notice of Judgment No. 177.-Misbranding of Coffee. (Chicory added but not stated on label.)

Notice of Judgment No. 178.-Misbranding of Canned Cherries. (Underweight.) Notice of Judgment No. 179.-Adulteration and Misbranding of Cottonseed Meal. (Cottonseed hulls added. Statements misleading.)

Notice of Judgment No. 180.-Misbranding of a Drug (Gowan's Pneumonia Cure). (Statements false and misleading.)

Notice of Judgment No. 181.-Misbranding of a Drug (Eyelin). (False and misleading statements.) of a Drug (Bromo Febrin).

Notice of Judgment No. 182.-Misbranding (Statements false and misleading.)

Notice of Judgment Nos. 183 and 192.-Adulteration and Misbranding of Powdered Colocynth. (Drug.)

Notice of Judgment No. 184.-Misbranding of a Drug (Radol). (False claims as to medicinal value.)

Notice of Judgment No. 185.-Adulteration of Cream. (Butter fat abstracted in part.)

Notice of Judgment No. 186.-Misbranding of Peaches and Apricots. (Underweight.)

Notice of Judgment No. 188.-Adulteration of Currants. and other animal matter.)

Notice of Judgment No. 190.-Misbranding of Rice. locality.)

(Infested with worms

(False representation of

Notice of Judgment No. 191.-Misbranding of a Drug ("Dr. Parker's Universal Headache Cure").

Notice of Judgment No. 194.-Adulteration and Misbranding of Lemon Extract. (Lemon oil absent. Only trace of citral.)

Notice of Judgment No. 196.-Misbranding of Oil of Lemons. (Underweight.) Notice of Judgment No. 198.—Adulteration and Misbranding of Syrup. (Sucrose syrup added.)

DEPARTMENT OF EPIDEMIOLOGY.

WILLIAM F. SNOW.

This department is omitted this month owing to incompleteness of tabulated report.