1949 — Dysentery, infectious, all forms (codes 045-048)                                            –1,440

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard Sep 18, 2023 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–1,440  Public Health Service. Vital Statistics…[US] 1949, Part II…Mortality Data…, p. 458.

Narrative Information

Dysentery: “Dysentery is the inflammation of the colon characterized by frequent, watery stools, often tinged with blood and mucus. Dysentery is usually caused by one of two different organisms—Shigella bacteria or an amoeba, Entamoeba histolytica. Bacillary dysentery is more common in the developed world, while amoebic dysentery more frequently occurs in tropical areas with poor sanitary conditions. Inadequate hygiene is the most common cause of dysentery, but it can also be spread by tainted food, contaminated water, and exposure to human feces, for example, by changing diapers.

“Symptoms of bacillary dysentery, a milder form of the disease, usually appear between 1 and 3 days after an individual is infected. Bacillary dysentery typically begins with a stomachache, followed by diarrhea and fever. Children younger than 2 years old may develop severe infections and should be monitored carefully….

“Because vomiting and diarrhea can lead to dehydration, individuals with dysentery must drink plenty of fluids. If an analysis of a stool sample shows that bacteria are the cause, medication may not be prescribed unless symptoms are severe. In mild cases, symptoms typically dissipate on their own within a week. For amoebic dysentery, patients will likely be given a 10-day course of one or more antimicrobial medications…

“Hygiene practices are the best defense against dysentery. Washing hands after using the bathroom and before preparing food is essential. If traveling to the tropics—where dysentery is common—drink bottled water, even when brushing your teeth, and avoid ice cubes, especially if you do not know what water was used to make them. Only eat food that has been cooked thoroughly.”

(The National Academies of Science. Infectious Disease – Disease Watchlist. “Dysentery.”

 Dysentery: “An infectious disease of the colon. Symptoms include bloody, mucus-filled diarrhea; abdominal pain; fever; and loss of fluids from the body.” (U.S. National Library of Medicine. “Dysentery.” PubMed Health.)

Sources

 The National Academies of Science. Infectious Disease – Disease Watchlist. “Dysentery.” Accessed 7-29-2022 at: http://needtoknow.nas.edu/id/watchlist/35/

 United States National Library of Medicine. “Dysentery.” PubMed Health. Accessed 6-16-2016 at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMHT0025025/ )

Public Health Service, Federal Security Agency. Vital Statistics of the United States 1949. Part II, Natality and Mortality Data for the United States Tabulated by Place of Residence. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office, 1951. Accessed 9-18-2023 at: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/vsus/VSUS_1949_2.pdf

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