Statement of expenditures under chap. 407, of 1881, from July 5th to December 31, 1881. Traveling and Incidental Expenses of Chemists and Examiners. 1881. July 6. Dr.S. A.Lattimore, per itemized acct. rendered.. $26 64 26 60 31. Dr. DeLap Smith, for July and August... Sept. 30. C. E. Munsell, for September.. August.... $43 50 50 00 93 56 do 93 50 ... 50 00 30. Dr. DeLap Smith, Nov. 30. A. L. Colby, for November Dec. 31. A. L. Colby.. 30. A. L. Colby, do 30. Dr. DeLap Smith, do Oct. 30. A. L. Colby, 30. C. E. Munsell, do do 30. C. E. Munsell, do 30. Dr. DeLap Smith, do 50 00 50 00 50 00 50 00 50 00 50 00 50 00 50 00 50 00 $780 56 Printing and Stationery. 7. J. W. Wadsworth, comptroller, stationery... 1881. July 7. do do Sept. 1. E. Ellis, for blank books..... 30. A. L. Colby, stationery, per account.. 30. Dr. DeLap Smith, do do $46 93 letter book 3925 750 60 50 15 50 2 25 $76 53 Dec. 15. J. W. Wadsworth, comptroller, stationery. 30. Dr.Chandler, per account of Hastings & Hahn. 3 90 Library and Literature for Chemists and the Board. 1881. Oct. 8. Westermann, per account.. ..... warrants. Total payments out of $700 advanced by Comptroller, August 29, 1881.. $1,516 51 383 88 $1,900 39 Total...... Liabilities to 31st December, 1881. For payments to eight chemists under contracts... $3,200 00 200 00 Total payments and liabilities.. 3,400 00 $5,300 39 Remaining unexpended (of appropriation by Chapter 407), after all outstanding obligations are paid, to January 1, 1882... ERASTUS BROOKS, Chairman. C. F. CHANDLER. EDWARD M. MOORE, President. $4,699 61 Executive and Finance Committee. REPORT OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON REGISTRATION AND VITAL STATISTICS. To the State Board of Health: Your committee in reviewing the results of its labors during the past year recognized the fact that the particular portion of duty entrusted to its supervision is of necessity a branch of sanitary reform, somewhat difficult to introduce and perfect in all its details. In the progress already made, however, and in the increasing frequency of reports and statistical information received at the Bureau of Vital Statistics, from all parts of our State, your committee hope to show that the anticipations expressed in its first report are in progress of realization; that the seed sown is already ripening; and that harvest is near at hand. The labor of establishing a perfected and uniform system of registration of the vital movement of five millions of people, composed of all nationalities, and yearly increased by the great and never-ceasing flood of immigration that is constantly flowing in upon us through the great seaport of the Empire State, seems a task indeed; and when it is considered that every human life that forms an atom of the millions of breathing humanity existing in our vast commonwealth, has a history which, commencing at the cradle, rolls onward until the grave receives it, and that each event of every life may be of infinite importance both to the individual and its descendants, as well as contribute to the well-being of the State, the indispensability of vital registration, not only as a sanitary necessity, but also as a principle of political economy, must be admitted by every thoughtful mind. Our statutes provide for the registration of the lands and property owned by each one of the five millions of its people, and even for those who, living beyond our boundaries, hold estate within this commonwealth. Books of public record are kept in every town and city in our State, open to all, setting forth, in minutest detail, the history of each parcel of land, and of each building upon its surface. Thousands of expert hands and minds are daily employed in making, keeping and preserving such records with mathematical precision; but yet how strange it seems that until recently the history of the life of the individual has been utterly ignored by the rulers of the people. If it is of such moment to the welfare of the State, that property should be registered, how much more does it concern the interests of society that the vital movement of those who own and improve such property should be equally well understood. The necessity of such correct understanding of the vital records of the race first originated in the minds of thinking men and women; the idea of State Boards of Health, correct and uniform registration not having obtained before their organization. Previous to the appointment of the State Board of Health of New York, the State had no system of registration of vital statistics excepting in six of her cities. In many towns some attempts had been made to register births and deaths; but as no uniformity had been observed in the carrying out of the plan, the results were meagre and unsatisfactory. In the first report of your committee allusion was made to the importance of a uniform system of registering the three great events in human life, -birth, marriage, death, as well as the recording with accuracy those diseases which yearly make up the death rate among the people. During the year that is past, every city, town and village in the State has received ample instructions together with concise forms, not only for the registration of the vital movement of the people, and the proper preservation of such records; but also simple practical methods for the recording of those diseases which have prevailed in their respective localities. Thus in eighteen months, nine hundred and forty-seven towns, three hundred and twenty-six incorporated villages and eighteen cities have been provided with methods for vital registration through the means adopted by the State Board of Health of New York. The results thus far secured have been gratifying, and have exceeded the most sanguine hopes of the committee. The number of correctly worded and properly attested certificates of Births, Marriages and Deaths, from all parts of our State that are being daily received at the State Bureau of Vital Statistics, which will be seen by reference to the following pages of the report, show conclusively that not only are the officials themselves, but also the people deeply interested and heartily alive to the importance of this sanitary measure. Your committee, therefore, feels justified in reporting that at the end of this, the second year of the existence of the Board, the State of New York is provided with, and has adopted, a uniform system of vital registration. Investigation of Prevalent Diseases.-As regards the investigation of prevalent diseases, much important knowledge has been gained. The reports on epidemic and prevalent diseases herewith presented, with concise memoranda as to the inception and progress of these maladies, accompanied, in many cases, by maps of the infected districts (for the most part voluntarily given) show conclusively the growing interest taken by the town and city officials, by the medical profession, and by the people in general, in aiding the committee in its labors for preventing the spread of diseases, and preserving health and life in the community. The committee believes that this its second report will show that, while laboring, as it has done, under many difficulties, and with inadequate laws to sustain its action, the work commenced is progressing most favorably, and that the State of New York in the near future will exhibit a system of recording the vital movement of its population, inferior to none in the civilized world. The organization of local Boards, where none had heretofore existed, and the prompt and ready response made to the suggestions of the superintendent of vital statistics as to the administration of health laws, have been the great factors in the carrying out of the committee's designs. Wherever the efficient local Board exists, returns come promptly, and satisfactory information with regard to existing diseases has been obtained. Over a large portion of the State well-organized and scientific Boards of Health are now at work, and their number is rapidly increas |