The chart shows the number of deaths reported for 106 major cities of the United States by week for the current year, and, for comparison, the median of the number of deaths reported for the corresponding weeks of the three previous calendar years. (The median is the central one of the three values arranged in order of magnitude.) If a report is not received from a city in time to be included in the total for the current week, an estimate is made to maintain comparability for graphic presentation.

The figures reported represent the number of death certificates received in the vital statistics offices during the week indicated, for deaths occurring in that city. Figures compiled in this way, by week of receipt, usually approximate closely the number of deaths occurring during the week. However, differences are to be expected because of variations in the interval

between death and receipt of the certificate.

While week-to-week changes in the total number of deaths reported for all major cities generally represent a change in mortality conditions, this may not be true for variations in weekly figures for each city. For example, in a city where 50 deaths are the weekly average, the number of deaths occurring in a week may be expected to vary by chance alone from 36 to 64 (d + 2Vd, where d represents the average number of deaths per week).

The number of deaths in cities of the same size may also differ because of variations in the age, race, and sex composition of their populations, and because some cities are hospital centers serving the surrounding areas. Changes from year to year in the number of deaths may be due in part to population increases or decreases,

North Carolina reported 88 cases which is an increase of 13 over the previous week. In the 2 counties where mass immunization with gamma globulin has been given, Caldwell about July 7 to 10 and Catawba about July 14 to 16, there was an increase in reported cases. Caldwell reported 31 as compared with the previaus week when there were 25, and Catawba reported 23 as compared with 21 for the week ended July 11. These reports are by date of receipt in the office of the State health department and not by date of onset of symptoms. Virginia reported an increase in the number of cases,

55 as compared with 39 for the week ended July 11. Much of this increase is accounted for by the numbers reported in Washington and surrounding counties which are located in the southwestern part of the State. Many of the cases in Washington County are in Bristol. An increase in cases is also reported in Bristol, Tennessee, which is immediately adjacent to the city of the same name in Virginia. Mass immunization is now being rendered in this area. Carter County, Tennessee, which is also in the extreme eastern part of the State, has a high incidence in the area of Elizabethton. Gamma globulin has been allocated for mass prophylaxis in this city. The high incidence in eastern Tennessee is reflected in the State total of 62 cases, which is double the number for the week of July 11.

Thus, the western part of North Carolina, southwestern Virginia, and eastern Tennessee, constitute an area of high

incidence of poliomyelitis. It is not as extensive as some epidemic areas in the mi dwest during the summer of 1952.

Incidence of poliomyelitis has also been high in Macon County, Illinois, 18 cases being reported in the 3 weeks ended July 18. Gamma globulin has been given to children in this area during the past week.

Marquette County, in the upper peninsula of Michigan, has reported a high incidence of the disease in several towns. Immunization is being rendered in these towns.

The disease reported as poliomyelitis in an institution in Maryland is still being investigated. A total of 12 cases has been reported among a group of nurses. One medical attendant was also found to have mild symptoms. The last case was reported on July 14. Recovery of patients has been rapid in most instances.

The increase in the number of cases for California, 82 for the current week as compared with 45 for the previous week, was principally in Los Angeles and San Diego Counties. Fifteen of the 21 cases in the latter county were delayed reports for the week ended July 11.

Poliomyelitis deaths reported for the current week totaled 15 and were located as follows: New York City, 1; Ohio, 4; Indiana, 1; Macon County, Illinois, 1; Nebraska, 1; Kentucky, 1; Arkansas, 1; Montana, 2 in Deer Lodge County; and 2 in Los Angeles and 1 in San Diego Counties, California.

Anthrax

-----062 Botulism-

.-049.1 Brucellosis (undulant fever) -

-----044

49 Diphtheria ---

----055 29 Incephalitis, acute infectious---082 20 Hepatitie, infectioue,

and serum------------092,1998.5 pt. 493 Malaria-----------

-110-117 80 Measles----

----085 4,709 Meningococcal infections---------057 65 Poliomyelitis, acute---- --080 1,262 Rabies in man-----

--094 Rocky Mountain spotted fever----104A 12 Scarlet fever and streptococcal sore throat----

--050,051 1, 133 Smallpox-----

---084 Trichiniasie

-128

8 Tularemia-

--059 13 Typhoid fever-----

---040 64 Typhus fever, endemic

-----101 14 Whooping cough-

--056 748

4,079

95 1,390

12) 430, 468

4, 718 35, 373 (?)

)

534,532

2,40

638 399, 034

3, 444 $6,887

3 164

693, 969 567, 429 4, 405 3, 448

3,351 (-). (?).

9, 358

3,773 632, 296

3,163
6,603

8
170

5,415

4,513

21

215

Additions: Are

These provisional data are based on reports from State and territorial health departments to the Public Health Service. They give the total number of cases of certain communicable diseases reported during the week usually ended the preceding

Saturday. When the diseases which rarely occur (cholera, dengue, plague, typhus fever--epidemic, and yellow fever) are reported, they will be noted under the table above.

:

: data not included