The diseases of the heart and blood vessels, the kidneys and the brain, which are peculiar to the middle and later periods of life and which seem to have been rapidly increasing in recent years, are most insidious in their onset and development. The affected individual is often quite unconscious of their presence until measures intended for their arrest are no longer promising. A broad field of the greatest usefulness is here open to the sanitary authorities, which has thus far been almost untouched.

We are convinced that at least five years may be added to the average lifetime of each individual reaching the age of forty-five, (the period of greatest usefulness and productiveness) by the subsequent proper guidance and protection of his life activities, at no cost of efficiency, but on the contrary, with a distinct average increase.

Adequate appropriation necessary

The Department of Health has asked for increased appropriations to carry forward this campaign of education, to extend laboratory facilities for the diagnosis and specific treatment of disease, to safeguard the people against preventable diseases and to postpone the approach of those diseases which are inevitable. In subsequent years further increases will be needed but these will be necessary only as results are obtained which justify them.

I would appeal for a distinct policy of the Administration for the intelligent and rational support of such a campaign for the prevention of disease and the prolongation of life, and the establishment of the Sanitary Administration of the State on a high plane of scientific and practical efficiency.

Revised public health law a model

The revised Public Health Law is regarded by sanitary experts throughout the country as a model to be followed, and many are now turning to this State for counsel and inspiration in the advancement and perfection of their health organization and administration. The cooperation of a corps of capable and devoted workers has been secured in the central organization for the service of the State. It is confidently believed that soon in every thoughtful community the new outlooks in the prevention of disease and the promotion of healthful modes of life in still larger measure may be made fruitful and the way thus cleared to positive and far-reaching achievements for the general welfare.

Responsibility with the Legislature and the Chief Executive It remains for the Legislature and the Chief Executive to decide in ow far the citizens of the State of New York can be given the

benefits in prolonged and effective life which science and experience afford, or whether without further aid they must still take their unequal chances with disease and death.

The Report which I submit under separate cover contains a brief account of the reorganization of the Health Department under the conditions imposed by the new health law; and a summary of the work of each Division. This is followed by suggestions as to such legislative action as seems to me necessary for the better protection of life and health; and the full reports of the Directors of Divisions. The Report of the Public Health Council has already been presented.

Respectfully yours,

February 1, 1915

HERMANN M. BIGGS,

Commissioner of Health

Table from Bulletin issued by the United States Census Bureau, showing the States in the Registration Area of the United States arranged in the order of their death rates, New York having next to the highest death rate in the Registration Area in 1913.

STONY WOLD SANATORIUM

The attention of physicians is directed to the Stony Wold Sanatorium in case they have under their care women or young girls suffering from incipient tuberculosis, and for whom they desire accommodation in a sanatorium at moderate prices.

A statement in regard to the institution and the method of admission. is appended:

Stony Wold Sanatorium, situated at Lake Kushaqua in the Adirondacks, at an altitude of 1,730 feet, is for the care of women and children suffering from tuberculosis in the incipient stage.

"The institution is nonsectarian and has accommodations for 108 patients, of whom 20 are little girls over six years.

"Patients are admitted irrespective of the part of the country from which they apply, but it is necessary when making application that the physician in charge of the case send a detailed report of the condition of the patient to the Medical Superintendent of the Sanatorium, Dr. M. F. Lent, Lake Kushaqua, Franklin County, N. Y. Patients residing in or near New York City should apply direct to the New York office, 1974

Broadway, New York City, telephone - Columbus 1176.

"The rate at Stony Wold is $9.00 per week, which includes all expenses except a charge of 35 cents weekly for laundry."

MILK AND ITS DANGERS

HEALTH LESSON NO. 6

Basis for a Class-room Talk to School Children

Milk is one of the commonest causes of disease. In the first place there are a great many chances for dirt to get into the milk from the body of the cow, from the stable, from the hands and clothes of the milker, from the cans and bottles, and in the various steps of cooling and bottling,- if the greatest possible care is not taken about all these things. In the second place the germs which get in with this dirt do not die out as they tend to do in water, but multiply and increase so rapidly in numbers, that if the milk is not kept cold there will soon be many hundred millions in a thimbleful. The souring of milk is the result of the activity of these germs. In addition to the ordinary dirt germs the germs of tuberculosis from diseased cows may get into the milk and germs of such diseases as typhoid fever, scarlet fever and diphtheria or sore throat may get in from sick people or carriers who handle the milk. Even the ordinary dirt germs change the milk and form substances which are poisonous to young children; and the chief cause of sickness among babies in summer is dirty cow's milk.

In order to keep milk pure it is necessary to keep out all dirt so far as possible and to cool the milk quickly and keep it cool until it is used.

The only way to make milk entirely safe however is to pasteurize it, or heat it to 145 degrees for thirty minutes. This process (named for the great Frenchman, Pasteur, who first discovered that microbes cause disease,) kills all the disease germs and most of the other germs in milk, without making it indigestible. All milk for drinking, particularly for babies and young children, should be treated in this way.

An interesting experiment can be made by taking four bottles of fairly clean fresh milk, pasteurizing one by heating in a pan of water over an alcohol lamp in the classroom or at home beforehand, adding some dirt to a second and then keeping these two bottles and one of the others in a cold place and the fourth bottle in a warm place. The children should examine the bottles every day and see when each one sours.

MANAGEMENT OF CITY FILTER PLANTS

Sanitary Supervisor Brewer reports that the superintendents of the water-works at Seneca Falls and Waterloo are to take special courses in the chemistry and bacteriology and chemistry of water purification at Hobart College. This is an example worthy of emulation by the managers of water-works throughout the State.

NEWS FROM THE FIELD

Good record for Granville

Dr. W. L. Munson, Health Officer of Granville, reports for 1914 a death rate of 13.2 per 1000, a birth rate of 20.5 and an infant mortality rate of 36 deaths per 1000 births.

Lectures by the sanitary supervisors

District H was the most active lecture center during the month of January, Supervisor Eichel delivering nine lectures in Cohoes, Troy and Rensselaer.

A tuberculosis nurse for Ithaca

A tuberculosis nurse is to be appointed in Ithaca, and applicants are requested to submit proper credentials and records of earlier work to Dr. H. H. Crum, Health Officer, Ithaca, N. Y.

Health float at the Saranac carnival

One of the features of the parade at the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival on February 2 was a float entitled "Sanitary Saranac," prepared by Supervisor Smith, in which Health Officer Trembley repelled the attacks of the germs with a health gun loaded with antitoxin, vaccine and other preventives.

A typhoid case in a labor camp

The importance of the regulations of the Sanitary Code in regard to Labor Camps is well illustrated by a recent happening in Bloomingdale. Dr. Noble, the Health Officer, found a woman with typhoid fever in a small lumber camp in a room not over eight by ten by six feet and without a ray of light. The drainage from another camp could easily reach the brook from which the first family got its water, and the case of typhoid is believed to have originated in this way. All new camps established hereafter must, under the new provisions of the Code, be licensed and inspected by the local Health Officer.

Milk laboratory at Jamestown

The Jamestown Evening Journal of January 29 chronicles in detail the opening of a new municipal milk laboratory under the direction of the Board of Health. The Journal describes with admirable clearness the various steps taken in making a bacteriological examination of milk and the significance and importance of the tests. This sort of public education as to the rationale of sanitary procedures is of the greatest value and reflects much credit on both the health authorities and the newspaper concerned.