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55
The loss of life occasioned by tuberculosis, which, it should always
be remembered, is a preventable disease, has been frequently commented
upon. In this matter, Hampstead suffers to a degree which, in view of
its social conditions and healthy situation, is somewhat surprising, even
when allowance is made for the number of persons who come to reside
in so healthy a district. Since the Borough Council has been in
existence, that is, during the 21 years 1900 to 1920, the total deaths
from tuberculosis amount to 1735. Of these, 1300 were due to pulmonary
tuberculosis and 435 to non.pulmonary tuberculosis. The total
number of deaths of " residents " occurring from all causes during this
period was 18,662, and it will thus be seen that no less than nine per
cent, of the total deaths that occurred were due to one more or less preventable
cause alone.
The economic loss to the community occasioned by the disease is
not easily assessable, but there is no question that it must be very great,
for the patient who frequently has other persons dependent upon him
usually breaks down while in his wage-earning period of life. To this
loss must be added the eost of the municipal and voluntary efforts to
combat the disease, with sanatoria, hospitals, homes, dispensaries, etc.
It is evident that such efforts alone are of limited use, for only too often
the patient is forced to return to his previous environment and occupation
; while some of the chief causes tending to the development of the
disease, such as insanitary and overcrowded dwellings, still remain
effectually to be dealt with. A great impetus would be given to the
attempt properly to house the people, if the importance and close
relation of this matter to tuberculosis were fully realised , and it is a
moot question whether to attempt to effect a radical cure by far, wide.
sweeping and drastic reforms in connection with housing, poverty, etc.,
would, in the long run, be more expensive to the community than the
continual expenditure of money and effort that is now incurred, the
results of which have undeniably fallen short of what was anticipated
from them.
Staff tngaged on Tuberculosis Work.—The staff specially engaged
on work directly connected with Tuberculosis consists of the Tuberculosis
Medical Officer (a part.time Officer), the Tuberculosis Dispensary
Nurse, and one Lady Sanitary Inspector, the major portion of whose
time is occupied in visiting cases, etc.
Municipal Tuberculosis Dispensary.—The report of the Medical
Officer on the work of the Dispensary during 1920, will be found at the
end of this section.