Use of Common Towel is Unlawful. titled to have only clean towels used upon RADIO TALK. Radiocasted from Station KGO, Oakland, November 24, 1924. their persons and if a common towel is Plague Situation The quarantine imposed upon the Mex If your barber uses the same towel on your face that he used upon the patron who occupied the chair before you, he is violating a California law. This statute says "No person, firm or corporation conducting, operating, having charge of, or control of, any hotel, restaurant, fac-ican quarter of Los Angeles has been tory, store, barber shop, office building, school, public hall, railroad train, railway station, boat, or any other public place, room or conveyance, shall maintain or keep in or about any such place any towel for common use.' The term "common use," when applied to a towel, means according to the law, "its use by, or for, more than one person without its being laundered by a process involving exposure to boiling water or steam between consecutive uses of such towel." lifted and the emergency conditions are now entirely disappeared, in so far as human cases of plague are concerned. Infected rats have been found in Los Angeles and the campaign for the eradication of rodents has only begun. A persistent and continual warfare against rodents is a matter of necessity if the disease is to be brought under control. Steps have been taken for conducting such a campaign and the work has been started under a clear and definite plan of Sanitary Engineering Since this law went into effect in Cali-organization. fornia, in 1917, common towels have almost disappeared from public places. Even in the country hotels, where roller towels, of seemingly endless length, formerly rolled on and on unceasingly, the traveler will now find separate and individual towels for each guest. Common towels are no longer found upon trains or boats and it is very seldom that they are ever found in any public places. A few barbers, however, do not observe this law. Since every patron is entitled to a clean towel, it should be provided. Whenever a customer finds a barber ap: plying a soiled towel to his face he should call attention to the violation of the law. If this does not bring results, the local health officer should be informed of the violation. The reason for the banishment of the common towel lies in the fact that such a towel plays a part in the transmission of many infections, chiefly those that affect the skin. Barbers' itch, smallpox, pink-eye and trachoma, as well as many other serious diseases, have been contracted in this way. Now that bobbed hair is popular and women, as well as men, patronize barber shops, perhaps more attention will be paid by barbers to the observance of this law. It is true that women are not subject to as great danger as men, through the use of a common barbers' towel, for their faces, fortunately, seldom need to be shaved, and so they are not subjected to the health menace that lies in the use of a soiled towel on a freshly shaved There are in California approximately 1300 sanitary engineering works needing state supervision. Three hundred communities have sewer systems. About 620 communities have public water works. There are 165 sewage treatment works and about 100 water treatment works in which the operation factor is all-imporfollow-up inspection. There are about tant and which therefore need constant 120 towns and cities whose sewage disposal is in a bad state and in need of improvement. There are 376 swimming pools. The investment represented by these sanitary works over which the but three engineers, is intended to mainBureau of Sanitary Engineering, with tain supervision is close to $500,000,000. Under the provisions of the law, 742 applications for permit have been filed with the State Board of Health. During this biennium there have been 109 permits granted representing works having an investment of approximately $22,000,000. Nineteen new sewage treatment works were placed in operation during the biennium. In addition to the communities having sanitary works at the present time there are in round numbers 300 small places having a population of 200 or more but which have yet not incorporated. The sanitary conditions, however, and need of promoting sanitary works in them is great. They will progressively and even some of the smaller places, has a garbage problem. There are fully 500 of these places. The Bureau of Sanitary Engineering maintains no supervision over garbage disposal. Eleven sanitary districts and four sanitation districts were formed during the biennium. These district procedures have become suddenly popular and simply stress the growing demand for sanitation. During the biennium the staff of three engineers has performed 2764 pieces of sanitary engineering work, exclusive of laboratory work, and has reported or made record of what was done. The laboratory, which during the last year consisted of but one man, made 27,491 analyses on 6795 samples, mostly water. About 12,000 communications were dispatched on sanitary engineering matters. This, in brief, gives an idea of the accomplishments and great need of continued support of the bureau. It must be apparent that adequate support of the bureau is probably impossible of provision, but as great increase as funds permit is imperative. The duties of the bureau since 1915 have been increased by the enactment of a law governing the sanitation of swimming pools and a law to protect against pollution of shell fish layings and by a tremendous increase in the demand for its services by the public, particularly in the field of better sewage disposal. Its duties and functions are clearly defined, however, and are of a purely sanitary engineering nature, overlapping none of the functions of other state departments or bureaus of the board itself. Child Health Demonstration in Marion County, Oregon. community as a demonstration and educational center which should influence a wider territory. The selection of Marion County assures the interest and cooperation of the state and county health and education leaders. Its population, estimated at 55,000 in 1924, is 90 per cent American born. It is essentially rural-Salem, the state capital, having a population of 25,000. The county's varied crops-berries, nuts, hops, flax-and its developing dairying and canning interests indicate a greater variety and stability of resources than in a one-crop or one-industry community. ing child health problems incident to a These industries present also perplexchronic migratory labor population, and This group is variously estimated, in common to a large area of the Far West. Marion County, at from three to ten thousand. An attempt will be made to work out a practical plan for their health and educational needs. 163 cases of diphtheria have been reported, as follows: Los Angeles 45, Oakland 16, San Francisco 14, Visalia 5, Berkeley 5, Los Angeles County 12, Stanislaus County 5, Long Beach 3, Madera County 1, San Mateo County 3, San Jose 2, Glendale 1, Stockton 1, San Joaquin County 1, Pasadena 2, Compton 2, Willits 1, San Mateo 3,' Rialto 1, Alameda 2, Santa Clara County 2, Sonoma County 2, San Diego County 1, San Bernardino County Cruz County 1, Contra Costa County 1, Rich- Measles. Marion County, Oregon, of which Salem is the county seat, has been selected as the field of the Far Western Demonstration, the fourth in the Com-2, San Diego 3, Huntington Park 3, Bakersmonwealth Fund Child Health demonstration program. The selection was made by the Child Health Demonstration Committee, only after careful weighing of applications from more than thirty cities and counties in the eleven Pacific coast and Rocky Mountain states which made application to the committee. Study of these applications and of the whole western health situation began in March, and continued to the present time, the committee considering not only the degree of need of child health work in the different local communities, but also the conditions and resources of each applicant 35 cases of measles have been reported, as 5, San Diego 2, Pasadena 3, Sonoma County follows: Los Angeles 20, Los Angeles County 1, Oakland 1, Calaveras County 1, San Francisco 1, Santa Barbara County 1. Scarlet Fever. 131 cases of scarlet fever have been reported, as follows: San Francisco 24, Los *From reports received on November 24th and 25th for week ending November 22d. Angeles 20, Fresno County 10, Santa Clara County 7, San Jose 5, Los Angeles County 7, Oakland 5, Torrance 2, Whittier 1, San Diego 4, Alameda 3, Fresno 1, San Joaquin County 2, Oakland 1, Alameda County 4, Stockton 2, Berkeley 2, Pasadena 1, Merced County 1, Orange County 2, Santa Ana 4, Stanislaus County 1, Redwood City 1, Huntington Beach 1, Pomona 4, El Monte 1, Riverside 1, Chico 1, San Bernardino County 3, Long Beach 2, Lodi 1, Yuba County 1, South San Francisco 1, Kern, County 1, Santa Monica 1, Brawley 1, Santa Barbara 2. Smallpox. 95 cases of smallpox have been reported, as follows: Los Angeles 41, Los Angeles County 19, Fresno County 6, Fresno 5, Lassen County 5, Oakland 3, Modoc County 1, San Bernardino County 2, Pomona 1, Plumas County 1, Colton 2, Sacramento 2, Anaheim 1, San Diego 2, Compton 1, Whittier 1, Santa Monica 1, Kern County 1. Typhoid Fever. 81 cases of typhoid fever have been reported, as follows: Stockton 55, Los Angeles 5, Los Angeles County 1, Selma 1, Fresno County 2, San Joaquin County 3, Riverside 4, San Francisco 2, San Diego 2, Stockton 1, Riverside County 1, Santa Monica 1, Venice 1, California 2. Whooping Cough. 91 cases of whooping cough have been reported, as follows: Los Angeles 25, Montebello 6, San Francisco 15, Berkeley 7, Long Entered as second-class matter February 21, 1922, at the post office at Sacramento, California, under the Act of August 24, 1912. Acceptance for mailing at special rate of postage provided for in Section 1103, Act of October 3, 1917. Vol. III, No. 43 Diphtheria and Scarlet Fever Are Too Prevalent. DECEMBER 6, 1924 Diphtheria has been increasing in prevalence throughout the United States during recent years, and in California the increase during the last biennial period is conspicuous. There were 18,241 cases reported as against 15,249 cases reported during the preceding biennial period. More than one-half of the cases reported in California each year are in the large centers of population. Although diphtheria is prevalent to a considerable extent in the rural districts of the state, it is essentially a city disease. The added opportunity for contact in closely crowded centers of population is undoubtedly the chief factor in promoting the increased prevalence in urban centers. The increased prevalence of diphtheria is by no means confined to California. Nearly every state shows similar increases. There are four reasons for this general increase that may be readily explained. First, failure of parents to regard a sore throat as serious. Second, failure to secure efficient medical advice promptly. Third, failure upon the part of the physician to administer antitoxin, in all cases that may be suspicious of diphtheria, within twenty-four hours after the onset of the disease. Fourth, treatment of cases of diphtheria by individuals who are incompetent. It is only during the past two years that immunization against diphtheria has been put into more extended use. In New York state, where the bulk of this work of immunization has been accomplished, outstanding GUY P. JONES EDITOR results have been secured. There were 27,029 cases of diphtheria in New York in 1921 against 15,048 cases in 1923. This remarkable reduction in the prevalence of diphtheria in New York state is due to the extensive immunization of children by means of toxin antitoxin. This procedure, simple, harmless, and certain, is responsible for the tremendous reduction in the prevalence of the disties are beginning to take advantage of ease. Fortunately, California communithe tremendous boons that this procedure offers. In most of the smaller communities in the San Francisco Bay region, during the past two years, a large majority of children have been immunized. In many towns of the San Joaquin Valley, and in southern California, immunization campaigns have also been conducted, as well as in a few communities of the north coast district. With the extension of immunization, it is certain that as great results in the reduction of the prevalence of diphtheria can be obtained in California as have been secured in New York state, as well as in other states in the Union. Comparing the prevalence of diphtheria in the United States with that of other countries, it is interesting to note that the disease was almost four times as prevalent in the United States as in England and Wales, and more cases were reported in England and Wales than in any other European country with the exception of Russia. In 1923 there were 144,124 cases in the United States, 40,009 in England and Wales, and 47,770 cases in Russia. Germany had 31,942 cases, France 11,033, Italy 10,922. Other European countries show a decreased preva lence. The reason for the large number of cases in the United States is inexplainable. From Wisconsin westward to the Pacific coast, including most of the Rocky Mountains and Coast region, the increase was higher than in any other part of the country. One of the big pieces of work that faces every health officer in the state lies in convincing the people of his community that immunization against diphtheria is reliable and productive of certain results; and in providing machinery for accomplishing the immunization of all children in his district. Don't Run Your Motor in a RADIO TALK. Broadcasted from Station KGO, Oakland, It is dangerous to run the engine of any automobile in a closed garage. If it is necessary to run a gasoline engine inside of any building care should be taken to first open wide the doors and windows. The exhaust from an automobile engine, whether it be a "flivver" or a RollsRoyce, contains carbon monoxide, the same gas that makes common illuminating gas so deadly. No matter how small the engine may be, the danger of inhaling this poisonous gas in the exhaust is very great, if it is permitted to escape in a closed garage. Every year during the late fall and winter, particularly with the beginning of cool weather, many deaths occur from this cause. If your motor needs tuning up, be sure the garage doors and windows are open, if you work inside. Even if you intend to work with the engine running for only a few minutes, be sure that the doors and windows are open. The attack of carbon monoxide poisoning comes on so stealthily that its victim is unaware of the danger. Consciousness is gradually lost and even if he does come to realize his danger, he is often unable to escape because of his physical inability to reach the door. Scarlet fever showed an increase during the last biennial period. There were 13,442 cases reported during the last two years as against 9674 cases reported during the two years preceding. Similar increases may be noted in other states. On the other hand, many states have shown marked decreases in the prevalence of this disease during the last two years. The reasons for the increased prevalence of this disease in California are not known. Lax control of cases, failure to observe regulations for quarantine, missed cases, and similar factors undoubtedly have a great deal to do with this increase. Scarlet fever is a serious disease, particularly because of the tremendous toll it exacts in adult life. If every case of scarlet fever could be prevented, a very considerable number of serious illnesses of adult life could be conspicuously reduced. Health authorities are justified in adopting and enforcing most stringent The United States Public Health measures for the control of this disease. Service reports that tests of the exhaust The recent development of an immunity of a small 23-horsepower automobile test for scarlet fever, as well as a means engine showed that it discharged approxiby which individuals can be immunized mately 25 cubic feet of gas per minute, against the disease, gives promise of plac-samples of which gave an average of 6 ing scarlet fever among those diseases per cent carbon monoxide, or one and that can be definitely and surely placed one-half cubic feet of deadly carbon under control. With smallpox, diph-monoxide gas per minute. Of course, theria, scarlet fever and typhoid fever larger engines will give off a large quanmade absolutely preventable, a large tity. A ratio of 15 parts carbon monoxide amount of suffering among children and to 10,000 parts of air is considered a adults, as well as many deaths, can be dangerous mixture to be exposed to for absolutely prevented. any considerable length of time. The small 23-horsepower engine, in "warming up," and giving off only one cubic foot of carbon monoxide per minute, would contaminate the air of a small closed garage, 10 x 10 x 20 feet, to the danger point in about three minutes. Bid them wash their faces Heredity is only the sum of all past environment; in other words, environment is the architect of heredity.-Luther Burbank. Physiological experiment on animals is justifiable for real investigation, but not for mere damnable and detestable curiosity. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, tasteless and almost odorless gas. Its poisonous action depends upon the fact that it has a much greater affinity for the hemoglobin of the blood than has oxygen, hemoglobin attracting carbon monoxide about three hundred times more strongly |