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42
It should be clearly understood that these are not the actual
totals of all deaths in Clerkenwell due to Phthisis, but only those
deaths of which we have full particulars as to age and address. For
example, in 1900 there were 172 deaths from Phthisis attributed to
this parish (giving a death-rate of 2.59 per 1,000) but in 18 of these
cases records of exact place of abode are lacking.
Dr. MacLearn, the Medical Superintendent of the Holborn
Union Infirmary, writes to me under date of February 4th, 1901:—
"During the year 1900, I find that 54 deaths from Phthisis
occurred amongst inhabitants of Clerkenwell in the Holborn
Infirmary, Archway Road, N. On February 2nd, 1901, there were
75 inhabitants of Clerkenwell under treatment for Phthisis in the
same Infirmary. I might add that nearly all these cases suffer
from the advanced stages of the disease."
As regards sex it may be mentioned that out of the 154 cases
above recorded 99 were males and 55 were females. The average
age at death of the 154 cases was 35 years. The greater prevalence
among men is probably caused by their greater degree of exposure
to unfavourable conditions. As regards the effect of season on the
Phthisis mortality it may be said that it is apparently small, the
deaths being fairly uniform throughout the year.
From a careful study of the distribution of the disease in the
Parish during the last five years there appear to be one or two
general conclusions to be drawn :—
1. The disease has proved most fatal in persons aged 20—50. It
has therefore removed by death a large number of lives at
their prime and when most valuable to their homes and
to the community. Out of the 764 deaths from Phthisis
for the last 5 years 528 occurred between the ages of 20
and 50 years.
2. A second general conclusion is that most cases of Phthisis
mortality have occurred in the overcrowded portion of the
district and in houses of comparatively low rental. Lower
rental does not necessarily mean defective sanitary surroundings,
yet we know that, generally speaking, classes
inhabiting such property suffer from poverty, deficient
nourishment, intemperance and other conditions predisposing
them to disease. Even a cursory examination of