tion," says the health officer, "by reason that this class of people are improvident, ignorant, uncleanly in person, and indifferent to hygienic precautions. Many of them have inherited tendencies to scrofulous and tubercular diseases. It is not surprising, then, that the death rate is much greater in the colored population than in the white. The death rate, in so far as the general prevailing diseases are concerned, varies but little from that of previous years. Consumption, as usual, was the cause of the greatest number of deaths-II per cent. of the total mortality.

"While it is true that during the past three decades the mortality rate from this disease has constantly and considerably decreased in the United States, falling from 33 per 10,000 of population in 1871, to about 20 per 10,000 at the present time, yet this percentage of deaths from one disease alone is entirely out of proportion to what it should or would be if only the ordinary precautions for the prevention of the disease, which are known to be scientific and effectual, were exercised.

"A matter which is worthy of consideration in reference to the prevalence of consumption is the high death rate occurring from this disease in the colored race, there being at least one hundred per cent. more deaths among this class of people than occurs in the white race. In this city, where much of the domestic help is colored, is it not perfectly possible that families are endangered to a great degree from this fact? I have frequently given reasons why the general negro mortality is greater than the white. Very little is being made in this city to stay the spread of consumption. While we have an "Expectoration Ordinance," yet it is not observed as it should be, and its provisions are inadequate."

Deaths from other diseases in the order of their greater prevalence: Heart disease, 329; pneumonia, 293; inanition, 184; Bright's disease, 181; typhoid fever, 157; entero-colitis, 145; cancer, 134; apoplexy, 121; meningitis, 101; paralysis, 98; bronchitis, 96; infantile convulsions, 80; asthma, 67; diphtheria, 57; gastritis, 57; peritonitis, 56; dysentery, 38; septic diseases, 38; nephritis, 36; marasmus (infantile), 32; obstruction of the bowels, 31; cirrhosis of liver, 30.

LOUISIANA. New Orleans, 310,000-77.714 colored. Report for November: Total deaths, 618-356 colored. Under 5 years, 70 white, 53 colored. Death rates: white, 19.13; colored, 37.01: 23.92. Deaths from typhoid fever, 2; intermittent fever and malarial cachexia, 10; consumption, white, 42, colored, 43: cancer.

white, 17, colored, 6; organic heart diseases, 32 white, 29 colored; Bright's disease, white, 31, colored, 18.

MICHIGAN.-The Secretary of the State Board reports for four weeks, ending November 28, compared with the average for November in the 10 years, 1893-1902, smallpox was more than usually prevalent; and intermittent fever, erysipelas, inflammation of bowels, remittent fever, cholera morbus, whooping cough, measles and cholera infantum were less than usually prevalent. The diseases which usually cause the most sickness in Michigan at this time of the year were slightly less prevalent in the November just passed than the average for November in the preceding ten years.

Of the most dangerous communicable diseases, meningitis was reported present at 4 places; whooping cough at 16 places; measles at 31 places; smallpox at 53 places; diphtheria at 80 places; scarlet fever at 122 places; typhoid fever at 154 places; and consumption at 193 places. Reports from all sources show meningitis reported present at 4 places less; whooping cough at 3 places less; measles at 10 places more; smallpox at II places more; diphtheria at 3 places less; scarlet fever at II places more; typhoid fever at 31 places less; and consumption at 49 places less than in the preceding month.

Deaths reported to the Secretary of State for the month of November, 2,628-1 less than for the preceding month. Death rate, 12.9. Deaths of infants under 1 year, 418; 1 to 4 years, inclusive, 171; and 789 of persons over 65 years of age. Important causes of death were as follows: Pulmonary tuberculosis, 158; other forms of tuberculosis, 27; typhoid fever, 80; diphtheria and croup, 112; scarlet fever, 14; measles, 7; whooping cough, 28; pneumonia, 206; cancer, 140; accidents and violence, 194.

MINNESOTA.-Minneapolis, 240,000. Report for October: Deaths, 170-25 under 5 years. Annual death rate for twelve months ending Oct. 31, 19.59. Deaths from typhoid fever, 7; consumption, 19; cancer, 17; organic heart disease, 10; pneumonia and broncho-pneumonia, 13; Bright's disease, 13.

St. Paul, 175,000. Report for October: Deaths, 119–26 under 5 years; death rate, 7.93. Deaths from consumption, 15; pneumonia, 7; cancer, 7; typhoid fever, 2; scarlet fever, 2.

MISSOURI.

St. Louis, 645,000. Report for October: Deaths, 817-79 under 5 years; annual death rate, 12.66. Deaths from

zymotic diseases, 112; scarlatina, 8; diphtherian croup, 16; whooping-cough, 6; typhoid fever, 29; remittent fever and congeners, 17; diarrheal diseases, 20-17 under 5 years; cancer, 34; phthisis, 71; bronchitis. 33; pneumonia, 40; other diseases of the respiratory organs, 27; diseases of the circulatory system, 70; Bright's disease and nephritis, 40; accident, 45.

NEW JERSEY.-Hudson County (Jersey City and environs), 421,692. Report for October: Deaths, 594-176 under 5 years; death rate, 16.9. Deaths from croup, 6; diphtheria, 16; scarlet fever, 3; whooping-cough, 2; typhoid fever, 6; diarrheal diseases, 12; all zymotic diseases, 58; phthisis, 70; bronchitis, II; pneumonia, 58; cancer, 12; violence, 35; still births, 47.

Newark, 266,000. Report for the week ended December 5: Deaths, 96-24 under 5 years; death rate, 18.76. Deaths from contagious and infectious diseases, 22; diphtheria, 4; consumption, II; still births, 9; cancer, 7.

In virtue of recent legislation, the State has been divided in 445 sanitary districts, and the local authorities in each district are empowered to take active measures for the protection of the public health, but in only a small number of these districts is an inspector employed who has received instruction in the art of public hygiene. To the end that local boards of health may be enabled to secure the services of capable health officers and trained sanitary inspectors, the Board of Health of the State of New Jersey is authorized to cause examinations to be made by such persons and at such times and places as it may appoint, and under such rules and regulations as it may adopt, for the purpose of determining the qualifications of applicants for license as health officers and sanitary inspectors; every such examination shall be in such subjects and conducted in such manner as the Board of Health of the State of New Jersey shall direct, and every applicant whose examination shall be approved by said State Board shall receive license as health officer or sanitary inspector as provided.

The service has been organized accordingly. Rules and regulations providing for and governing examinations for license to serve as health officers and sanitary inspectors are supplied by Henry Mitchell, M. D., Secretary, Trenton.

NORTH CAROLINA.-Bulletin of mortality for October summarizes reports of 26 towns, with aggregate population 154,200: white, 90,350, colored, 63,850; aggregate deaths, respectively, 114,

144: 258; death rates, 15.1, 27.1: 20.1. Deaths from consumption, white, 9, colored, 20: 29; heart diseases, white, 11, colored, 12: 23 diarrheal diseases, white, 12, colored 12: 24; typhoid fever, white, 4, colored, 5: 9; deaths under 5 years, white, 37, colored, 56: 93; still born, white, 2, colored, 14: 16.

OHIO. Cleveland, 420,000. Report for October: Deaths, 459 -70 under 5 years; annual death rate, 13.11. Deaths from typhoid fever, 22; diphtheria and croup, 29; smallpox, 1; tubercle of lungs, 37; pneumonia, 29; cancer, 16; heart diseases, 29; Bright's disease, 18; diarrhea and enteritis (under 2 years), 16; early infancy congenital icterus, debility, etc., 32; senile debility, 14; still births, 42.

PENNSYLVANIA.-Philadelphia, 1.378,624. Report for week ended December 5: Deaths, 451-99 under 5 years. Deaths from Bright's disease, 4; consumption, 52; diphtheria, 12; croup, 2; diseases of the heart, 39; typhoid fever, 10; nephritis, 23; pneumonia, 61; cancer, 24. Smallpor increasingly prevalent; 99 cases, 15 deaths.

Pittsburg, 354,000. Report for the week ended December 5: Deaths, 154-54 under 5 years; annual death rate, 22.62. Deaths from diphtheria and croup, 6; whooping-cough, 2; smallpox, 6; typhoid fever, II; tuberculosis, II; pneumonia, 36; cancer, 3.

The Typhoid Fever in Butler.

Dr. George A. Soper, engaged by "The Engineering News" to investigate the typhoid epidemic at Butler, Pa., and its causes, will report that the epidemic has by no means attained its culmination.. about 50 per cent. of the cases not having reached the critical stage.

In three weeks there were 1,000 cases, and up to Dec. 14 1,247 cases and 51 deaths had been reported. The epidemic he attributes to the suspension of the mechanical filtration of the city water supply.

The "New York Tribune," December 6, in an article dealing with the matter, says: "The fact that Butler's sewage drains into Concquenessing Creek has given rise to a problem which the Federal authorities have deemed of sufficient importance to investigate. There are several small towns and boroughs below Butler that take their water from the creek, and doctors agree that immediate steps must be taken to prevent the spread of the disease to these places. Dr. John F. Anderson, acting director of the hygienic laboratory of the Marine Hospital Service, has been sent

to Butler from Washington to investigate the situation there and to judge of the possibility of the disease spreading to other States."

PORTO RICO, 953.943.-Report for October: Deaths, 2,026— 753 under 5 years. Annual death rate, 24.4. Still births, 155; cerebrospinal fever, 13; diphtheria, 5; typhoid fever, 5; pneumonia, 34 puerperal fever, 11; diarrheal diseases, 28; anæmia, 604; bronchitis, 83; heart diseases, 17; tuberculosis, 151; diseases of the nervous system, 29; violence, 13; undefined diseases. 1,029.

UTAH.-Salt Lake City, 75,000. Report for October: Deaths, 50-11 under five years. Annual death rate, 12.61. Deaths from typhoid fever, 6; tubercle of lungs, 1; cancer, 3; organic diseases of the heart, 6; pneumonia, 3; Bright's disease, 3; senile debility, 2.

WASHINGTON.-Seattle, 125,000. Report for November: Deaths, 97-19 under 5 years. Annual death rate, 9.24. Deaths from tuberculosis, 11; typhoid fever, 4: diphtheria, 2; organic heart diseases, 15; Bright's disease, 7; cancer, I.

WISCONSIN.-Milwaukee, 315,000. Report for October: Deaths, 323-98 under 5 years; annual death rate, 12.07. Deaths from typhoid fever, 6; diphtheria, 7; phthisis, 28; pneumonia and broncho-pneumonia, 26; cancer, 22; organic heart disease, 25; diarrheal diseases, under 2 years, 20; Bright's disease, 17; congenital debility, 21; violence, 28; accidents, 19.

Report for twelve months ended April 13, 1903: Births, 7.406, as against 7,415 for 1901.-Deaths, 3,796; death rate, 12.65 on an estimated population of 300.000. For the year 1901 the number of deaths was 3.833, representing an annual death rate of 12.99. Within the last ten years the mortality rate of the city has been lowered from 20.25 in 1892 to 12.65 per 1,000 in 1902.

Diphtheria.-There were 455 cases, with 83 deaths, a percentage of 18.2, as against 483 cases with 100 deaths, a percentage of 20.7, for the year 1901.

Smallpox.-261 cases, with one death-the largest number of cases for one year since the great epidemic of 1894.

Tuberculosis.-Cases seem not to have been reported; deaths, 395, as compared with 473 in the preceding year.

Typhoid Fever.-208 cases, with 48 deaths; in the preceding year, 205 cases, with 63 deaths.