TUBERCULOSIS AMONG WAGE EARNES. A preliminary inquiry into the occurrence of tuberculosis as a cause of death among the nine million white industrial policy holders of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company during 1916 shows that the tendency toward a decrease in mortality was continued during 1916. The 1916 death rate was 4 per cent less than the rate for 1915. In 1911 the rate per 100,000 was 195.3, while in 1916 it was 161.7. SAN FRANCISCO BANISHES THE CIGAR CUTTER. The cigar cutter has long been recognized as a possible source of infection for many diseases, notably syphilis and tuberculosis. Dr. William C. Hassler, Health Officer at San Francisco, has been instrumental in securing the passage of an ordinance by the San Francisco board of supervisors prohibiting the use of the common cigar cutter in cigar stands, stores and other public places. Violation of the ordinance constitutes a misdemeanor, with a fine of not less than $10 and not to exceed $25, or by imprisonment in the county jail of not more than 25 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment. — California State Board of Health Bulletin. HEALTH OFFICERS' ROUNDTABLE A Health Officer on the Job. Dr. H. M. Pearce, Health Officer of Urbana, recently caused the arrest of an Urbana physician for failure to report cases of communicable diseases. When taken before the mayor the derelict physician promised that he would not give cause for complaint again. The incident will serve as a warning to others and Dr. Pearce sets a good example for other health officers to follow where physicians are careless in reporting such cases. That Dr. Pearce has the backing of the public and the press in the enforcement of the laws is indicated by the following from the Urbana Democrat concerning the arrest of the physician: "Dr. Pearce stated that he was determined that this phase of the state health laws should be obeyed and stated that he had two or three other physicians on his list who are, or have been, guilty of this omission. They too will be brought up and will be likely fined if the charges are proven. There is no doubt in the least but that they can be substantiated. "Dr. Pearce is to be commended for his zeal in this and if other officials in the health department showed equal zeal the health of the community would be better conserved and not liable to contagion and sickness. Had a better co-operation between the health board and the physicians been effective it is likely that the contagion of measles, which caused several juvenile deaths; whooping cough, which also had fatalities marked up against it, might not have been nearly so prevalent. True, the parents are as much to blame as they fear to be quarantined. "It would be far better to remain in quarantine for a few days or even weeks, than to jeopardize the safety of the children of the community. Parents have no compunction in taking children with whooping cough to public gatherings and in this manner endanger the health and even the lives of others. "As long as the health officer has the state board behind him he proposes to do his duty as it is laid down by the health laws of the state and he should have the hearty backing and commendation of those who believe in the enforcement of laws.' Toledo Has a Public Health Instructor. With the appointment of J. F. Kelsey as Director of Public Health Instruction, the first step has been taken toward developing the health division under its new organization, authorized some weeks ago and pictured by chart in the City Journal. Mr. Kelsey will have charge of the health publicity of the city and will give particular attention to various educational campaigns among the local public in an effort to reduce sickness and improve the general health of the community. It is a recognized fact that most sickness is preventable by personal care. It is expected, therefore, that the work of the new bureau will be a material aid in reducing morbidity in this city. As the Health Division is without funds to conduct the new bureau, Mr. Kelsey's salary is paid by the University. He has been appointed on the staff of the University Extension Department in Public Hygiene. Toledo City Journal, May 19, 1917. THAT the Chillicothe health department maintained an epidemic quarantine probably cheaper than was ever done for its size in the state, is shown in the report of W. E. Heck, state examiner. In reviewing the department, Mr. Heck states, "During the spring of 1915, a smallpox epidemic developed, but through the vigliance of the health authorities, the same was brought under control and promptly eradicated." The city owns no pest house, smallpox patients being quarantined where found. As indicated by the financial statement, there was but $56.07 expended for quarantine purposes during the period, of which amount $41.00 was paid for medical services, $5.07 for groceries, and $10 for guard duty. "We know of no other instance," continues the examiner, "where 18 smallpox patients were handled at so small an outlay of funds." Dr. J. M. Hanley, city health officer and Philip S. Seward, sanitary officer, were complimented by the examiner. A RECENT epidemic of smallpox in Middletown is is estimated by the city auditor to have cost that community $3,000. CITY Council of Lorain has authorized an appropriation of $5,000 for a new pest house. THE board of health has authorized a raise in the salaries of the city plumbing inspector, city scavenger and the city dairy and food inspector. D. D. Lewis, plumbing inspector, who has been receiving a salary of $85 a month was given a fifteen dollar raise and will receive $100 beginning the first of July. City scavenger Holland who has been receiving $75 a month for the first six months of the year and $60 a month for the last six months will now receive $75 a month beginning with July 1. This is a raise of $15 on the month. Dr. J. L. Faragher, food and dairy inspector, who has been receiving $125 a month was given a $25 boost last night and will work for $150 a month taking effect the same time at that of the scavenger and plumbing inspector. Lorain News. SANDUSKY Voters will have a chance in July to reject or retain the commission form of government. As a result of petitions signed by 1,100 citizens, the city commission agreed to submit the question to popular vote. J. F. KELSEY, extension instructor in public hygiene, wants movie scenarios depicting the transmission of communicable diseases. Prizes will be awarded to persons writing the best screen descriptions of diseases transmitted by flies, food, water, milk and caused by germs in the human anatomy. Kelsey's office is in the division of health. Toledo Blade. A SLAUGHTER-HOUSE-INSPECTION ordinance was approved by a council committee May 9. If passed, it will require the possession of a $1 license by wholesale meat dealers. Those not paying the fee may be fined from $25 to $300 or sentenced to six months in the workhouse. It is an emergency measure. Ă retail meat ordinance was passed recently providing inspection in butcher shops, fixing a small inspection rate and requiring dealers to take out an annual license of $1. Toledo Blade. ROBERT M. MCCLURE has been appointed Sanitary Officer of Bellefontaine, filling the vacancy caused by the death of Edward L. Faulder. WAR conditions and recent increases in Cleveland's population will be called to the attention of the city administration and council in a request for an addition to the city sanitary police force when 300 new men are added to the regular police force. Health Commissioner Bishop declared yesterday that at least twenty more men are needed for sanitary inspection service. It was pointed out there have been 200 cases of smallpox in Cleveland since the first of the year. Five new cases were reported yesterday. Many of the recent smallpox victims are negro laborers who have recently come from the south, according to health department heads. It was asserted that the department must be on guard against the spread of cerebro-spinal meningitis and infantile paralysis. Calling of nurses and doctors for war service is an additional reason for rigid maintenance of health department standards, it is said. — Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 18. -- REGULAR weekly reports are now being prepared by Health Commissioner Light as to the number of cases of diseases developing in the city and the number of deaths that have taken place during the period covered by the report. There have been reported during the past week 36 cases of measles, 12 cases of scarlet fever, 4 cases of whooping cough, 5 cases of tuberculosis, 4 cases of exposure and 3 cases of chickenpox. Of the 45 deaths occurring within the past week four have resulted from cancer, four from pneumonia, six tuberculosis and the remainder distributed among a number of other afflictions. - Dayton News, May 23. TABLE OF CONTENTS EDITORIALS - It's the State Department of Health Now - White Zones Around the Army Camps - Striking at the Source of the Peril - Must Aid Army Officers in Their Efforts - Ohio Has Remedy in New Law - A Sensible Suggestion from Austrian Army - Public Health Nursing and National Service - More Nurses Needed to Solve Problem-To Avoid Camp Sickness Keep Fingers Clean- Wanted: Farmers to Learn Rural Sanitation and Hygiene - Kansas Health Officer Gives Some Good Tips - Ohio Mortality Statistics Secretary of War Demands Suppression of Vice Around Military Camps.. The New Law of Ohio for Abatement of Houses of Prostitution... PAGE Health Protection in Industries Manufacturing War Materials, by Dr. R. P. Albaugh, Director, Division of Industrial Hygiene, State De- |