198 



(one out of every seyen) of all tlie deaths in the human 

 family is due to tuberculosis '^^ In some of the largest 

 cities and in some of the older and most densely populated 

 countries the average per cent, is 25 (1 death in every 4 a 

 result of tuberculosis). 



It is said that the civilizing (?) influences, as applied to 

 the American Indian, have increased the mortality to 50 per 

 cent. — one-half of all the deaths result from some form of 

 tuberculosis (Law). 



In Alabama during the years 1889-90-91-92-93, the an- 

 nual average number of deaths from tuberculosis was 1009 ; 

 or 11.44 per cent. (1 in every 9) was due to tuberculosis (2). 



The annual average among the white people is 373, or 

 4.23 per cent, of all the deaths ; the yearly average among 

 the blacks is 636, or 7.21 per cent, of all the deaths. This 

 indicates that the superior intelligence of the white people 

 with their better observance of the laws of health tends 

 toward decreasing the ravages of this disease. The igno- 

 rance of the negro with his disregard of the laws of hygiene 



'1) One authority claims that 20 per cent, of all the deaths in the 

 United States (1 out of every five deaths) is due to tuberculosis. 



2. Total No. of deaths in Alabama in 1889-90-91-92-93, was 44,096 

 The No. of deaths from tuberculosis during the same time, was: 



These i-ecords were derived from Dr. Cochran's annual reports to 

 the State Board of Health. Dr. Cochran informs me that these re- 

 ports are accurate for the cities, but they are more or less incomplete 

 from country districts. 



It is very probable that the reports of deaths among the white 

 people are more complete and accurate than those from the black 

 race. It is also very probable that the number of deaths from tuber- 

 culosis among the negroes is greater than the reports show; because 

 many deaths are not reported, that occur in localities where the in- 

 habitants are nearly all black. 



