View report page

64
It will be seen from this table that not only is Battersea below
Registration London, but also holds the 13th position amongst
the forty-three districts, in freedom from phthisis mortality.
Phthisis was the assigned cause of eight thousand five hundred
and ten deaths in Registration London during 1899, shewing an
increase upon the corrected annual average which was eight
thousand four hundred and fifty-three during the ten years
1889-1898. The phthisis death rate was equal to 1.88 per 1,000
as compared with a rate of 1.77 in each of the two years
immediately preceding.
The following Table XXXII. shews a history of phthisis
mortality recorded in England and Wales during the forty-five
years, 1851 to 1895, shewing an enormous reduction since 1851.
In a measure however this may be influenced by improved
diagnoses, but after making every allowance, the death rate from
phthisis has undoubtedly decreased and this may be regarded as
due to improved sanitation.
The figures in the various columns represent the number of
deaths per annum per million persons living during the particular
Deriods referred to.
Causes and
Preventive
Measures.
Tuberculosis includes many forms of disease, i.e.,
consumption of the lungs and of the bowels, water
on the brain, scrofula, &c. That the disease is
due to bacterial origin is now a question beyond dispute,
and is more commonly contracted by inhalation of infected
particles, principally the particles of dried phlegm expectorated
by phthisical patients, without regard to its immediate
destruction or disinfection. The disease may also be contracted
by the ingestion of tubercular animal matter in the
form of meat and milk derived from cows and other animals
suffering from Tuberculosis, or of food prepared by persons whilst
in an advanced stage of the disease. The necessity of precautions
cannot be too strongly impressed as to the disinfection or