REPORT OF THE DIVISION OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASES FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH. For the month of March, 12,164 reported cases of notifiable diseases were recorded, a reduction of 5328 cases of sickness compared with March, 1916, but an increase of 2673 cases compared with March, 1915. Reports for March, 1917, may be considered more complete than for any previous month during the past four years of efforts to secure complete registration of notifiable sickness in Ohio. It is satisfactory commendation on the increasing completeness of the required reports to note that delayed reports for the most part record the presence of disease rather than carry the doubtful statement "None" or "None reported". There is still a great deal to be desired in the promptness with which reports are submitted. The 2141 health districts should be heard from within five days after the sending out of the monthly report cards by the Division. Only 56 per cent of the March reports were in on the 6th of April. On May 2nd, 8 per cent were still due, the lowest per cent of missing reports ever before recorded for any one month. Endeavors are being continued to secure the delinquent 8 per cent for March as well as the missing reports for January and February. The more persistent the demands upon health officers for required reports to the department, the more insistent the efforts of the health officers to secure reports from physicians and others. Measles continues to show greater prevalence than any other notifiable disease although not half as many cases were reported for March, 1917, (5669), as for March, 1916, (11,479 cases). Meningitis, epidemic cerebrospinal, shows a larger number of reported cases for March, 1917, 95 cases, than for any month during the past four years of morbidity registration. In March, 1913, 82 cases were reported, March, 1914, 20 cases. The table following records 13 and 19 cases for March, 1915 and 1916. Typhoid fever shows a decrease of 30 reported cases compared with March, 1915, but only a decrease of one reported case compared with March, 1916. The cases of notifiable diseases recorded to date of May 2nd for the first three months of 1917 total as follows. January 8,778 cases 9,868 cases 12,164 cases Total 3 months. 30,810 cases reported. Reported Cases of Notifiable Diseases March 1915-16-17, Showing Distribution March 1917, For Cities and For Villages and In almost every section you will find a noted well that's famous for its water, with its sulphureted smell, and the people, they will tell you that it won its first renown by restoring health and vigor to the oldest man in town. They will shout with indignation and be very much annoyed when you tell that this water is the source of their typhoid, for they're very proud, I tell you, of the sulphureted smell that is caused by all the refuse that has trickled in their well. FRESH AIR SCHOOLS. The Public Health League last night decided to co-operate with the board of education for the opening next September of at least one, perhaps two, fresh air schools in Alliance. Anaemic and weak children will be cared for. The league will furnish all equipment for the school and the board will supply the teacher and the room or rooms. Alliance Review. ACTIVITIES OF DIVISION OF PUBLIC HEALTH EDUCATION AND TUBERCULOSIS DURING APRIL 1917. Educational Work. Exhibit. During the month of April the health exhibit with lecture program was shown in three places, Spencerville, Miamisburg, and Portsmouth. The director attended the county health officials' conference, held in Portsmouth, at which plans were laid for a permanent county health officials' organization. Lectures. On April 4th, the director visited public health exhibit at Spencerville and gave a talk on "Tuberculosis." On April 5th, the director addressed the Parent, Teachers' Association at Huron on "County Health Organization." On April 10th, the director visited public health exhibit at Miamisburg and gave a talk on "Prevention of Tuberculosis in Ohio." On April 11th, the director addressed high school students at Miamisburg on "Work of the State Department of Health." On April 20th, the director gave two talks at Portsmouth, one at high school on "New Public Health," and one at exhibit on "Prevention of Tuberculosis in Ohio." On April 12th, the state supervising nurse visited Circleville and addressed conference of nurses on "Baby Week, Clean-up Week and Red Cross Work." On April 30th, the director of exhibits gave a lecture at Basil on "Health Conservation."· During the month, the instructive nurse gave eight "Health" Talks. Nursing Service. Miss Margaret S. Purves, who has been public health nurse in Portsmouth for the past thirteen months, has resigned and has taken a position with the Zanesville Welfare Association. Miss Natalie Heisser of Tiffin, Miss Helen Schmader of Massillon and Miss Sue McCracken of Elyria have been provided with automobiles for their public health nursing work. One conference with public health nurses was held by state supervising nurses at Circleville. One hundred and twenty-eight school children in Spencerville and fifty-three school children in Butler County were examined by the instructive nurse. Admissions and Discharges. From April 1 to 30 inclusive, 333 notifications were received, 164 of which were of admitted patients and 169 of discharged patients. Of these, 252 were referred to local public health nurses for investigation and report; I to another State Health Department; 22 were investigated by Division nurses; 8 were found whose histories were not obtainable and 50 were pending investigation. Of the 133 pending investigation on March 30th, 8 were found. whose histories were not obtainable, 5 were referred to local nurses and 12 were visited by Division nurses, making a total of 158 pending investigation on April 30th. NOTIFICATION OF TUBERCULOSIS HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS AND The division received during April, 161 case reports of inflammation of the eyes of the new born, of which 43 were opthalmia neonatorum and one suspicious, 22 not ophthalmia and 95 of which diagnoses have not been made, cases have not yet been closed. It was necessary to supply nursing service in two cases, responsibility for care and treatment in all other cases being left with the local health officer or public health nurse. Instructions were telephoned or telegraphed in 9 cases, and written in 6. Four investigations were made for failure to report, as a result of which prosecution will be instituted in one case. COUNTY HEALTH OFFICIALS ORGANIZE. A conference of health officials of Scioto county was held at Portsmouth April 20 while the Public Health Exhibit was there. Members of the city, village and township boards of health were in attendance and discussed with Secretary Bauman, Dr. Boudreau and Dr. McDowell, representing the State Department of Health, matters pertaining to health problems in Scioto county. A Greene county Health Board was organized April 12 at a meeting called by Dr. A. C. Messenger, Health Officer of Xenia and held in the office of Mayor Dodds. Dr. Messenger was elected president of the organization and H. A. Higgins, clerk of the local Health Board was elected secretary. The purpose of the organization is to meet regularly and keep in touch with the health conditions in all parts of the county. Dr. A. L. Light, Health Commissioner of Dayton, J. E. Bauman and Dr. Boudreau of the state board also addressed the conference. Dr. Light emphasized the importance of health conservation in event of a prolonged war. REPORT OF DIVISION OF LABORATORIES FOR MONTH ENDING APRIL 30th, 1917. Tuberculosis-positive 99, negative 385, suspicious 2. Diphtheria - positive 34, negative 176, suspicious 14.. Typhoid-positive 13, negative 67, suspicious 11.. Rabies positive 10, negative 8, unsatisfactory 2. 486 224 91 1 20 126 32 9 4 126 36 Doctors Brown and Trudeau oft remind us, In a kiss there lurks a bug; But ye lungers may take courage, There are no bacilli in a hug. *This was penciled on the walls of a shack 6 miles north of Saranac Lake and was sent to the Journal of the Outdoor Life by Mrs. E. L. Jung, Buffalo, N. Y. |