Publisher's Synopsis
Excerpt from Thirteenth Report of the State Board of Health of the State of Maine: For the Two Years Ending December 31, 1903
Other Infectious Diseases. - The reports of the local boards of health give an exhibit Of the prevalence Of the common infec tious diseases for their several localities. Though always exist ing in the State, there was no unusual prevalence of typhoid fever, diphtheria, and scarlet fever in 1902, and the same was true of the year 1903 with the exception of a serious epidemic of typhoid fever in Waterville and Augusta. Those epidemics somewhat increased the mortality rate for this disease for this year. The average number Of deaths for the ten preceding years 1892-1901 was 212. In 1902, there were 162 deaths from this cause in the state and in 1903, 225. The average number Of deaths from diphtheria in the ten preceding years had been 185 per year; but in the two years for which this report is made, it happened that the number Of deaths from diphtheria was exactly alike, 115 for each year. For the decade preceding, there had been an average of 38 deaths from scarlet fever. In 1902, there were 13 deaths from this cause and in 1903, 18. The general tendency has been a considerable falling off in the mor tality from these three diseases within the State. This is a gratifying fact; nevertheless, it is no indication that there is no unnecessary prevalence Of these diseases. Though the work Of the local boards is of great value, and though our people more and more appreciate the wisdom of having a care to prevent the existence of these diseases, we are far from the sanitary ideal which may be reached with comparative ease. There is hardly a limitation to the degree in which the prevalence of the infec tious diseases may be restricted when our people are pervaded with a due sense Of the enormous financial loss due to the pres ence of these diseases and the comparatively small expenditure required to save much Of this loss. But this work must come from a public correctly educated in sanitary matters and co-oper ating with the local boards of health.
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