VOLUNTARY VS. COMPULSORY NOTIFICATION OF CONTAGIOUS DISEASE.

In 1895 the Chicago Department of Health inaugurated the plan of allowing phyicians to "assume the responsibility" of enforcing precautionary measures against the spread of contagion in cases of diphtheria and scarlet fever. In other words, it made the notification of these disorders voluntary instead of compulsory. The results of this policy are reported in the Monthly Bulletin of the Department, for June, which is just in print. In 1894, the last year under the compulsory system, the total notifications of diphtheria were 1921, and the total deaths recorded from the disease, 1293, making an apparent death-rate from diphtheria of 67.3. In 1897 the cases reported were 3103, and the deaths 726, and in the first six months of 1899 the reported cases were 1726, as against 1304 for the corresponding period in 1897. Of all infectious reportable diseases, the total figures were 4380 to 1760 for the same periods