ï~~ DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CITY OF LOS ANGELES, CAL. OFFICE OF THE HEALTH COMMISSIONER July 2nd, 1917. To His Honor, the Mayor, and Members of City Counoil, City of Los Angeles, Calif. Gentlemen: I have the honor to submit the following report of the transactions of the Health Department for the fiscal year ended June 30th, 1917 It is the purpose of the Health Commissioner to inspire and cultivate a spirit of interest and responsibility in every member of the department in the work and upbuilding of the department by giving credit where possible and showing confidence in the cooperative work; therefore their reports are given in full in each division as reported by the heads of the same. Deaths* There were 6528 deaths reported to the office during the year, giving a death rate of 1.87 per 1000 population, or 1.87 deaths per 100,000 of estimated population of the city of Los Angeles, which is 550,000. Of the 6528 deaths, 2505 occurred in the various hospitals located within the city limits, and 1378 of the 2505 deaths occurred in the County Hospital, which receives patients from all parts of the County, including a population of over 300,000 not wthin the city of Los Angeles. Of the 6528 deaths, 1884 occurred in persons between the ages of 45 and 65 ears, and 1857 deaths occurred in persons over 65 years of age. This high death rate in elderly people is due no doubt to the fact that many people come to Los Angeles after retiring from business in the East. There were 1188 deaths certified to by the Coroner. Of these, 537 were caused by accidents, homicides, suicides, inhalation