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22 TUBERCULOSIS.
standard amounts to 22 per cent., while those for the meningeal and other forms, amount
to 31 and 42 respectively.
In comparison with 1909-13 the mortality among males during 1919-20 showed reductions
of 32 per cent, in the case of pulmonary tuberculosis, 33 per cent, in that of tuberculosis of the
meninges, and 36 per cent, in that of other forms, the corresponding reductions in mortality
among females being 9, 29 and 50 percent. The average numbers of deaths in the selected
sex-age-groups were, with one exception, lower (some notably so) in 1919-20 than in 1909-13.
At ages 15-45 the number of deaths of males in the two last years was 37 per cent, below the
average for 1909-13, that of females only 3 per cent. In the age-group 45-65, the reductions were
males, 15 per cent., females 31 per cent. (See Table XV. Appendix).
In distributing deaths from tuberculosis according to the Wards, only two forms of the
disease have been recognised, viz., " pulmonary " and " non-pulmonary." As regards the
former (See Table XVI., Appendix) the averages for 1919-20 were below those for 1909-13 in
all Wards except Westbourne (increase 11 per cent.) and Lancaster Gate, West, Ward (67 per
cent.). The latter increase cannot be regarded as significant. More value attaches to the
reductions in Harrow Road (34 per cent.) and Church (33 per cent.) Wards. As regards
"non-pulmonary " tuberculosis the most striking change is the reduction in Church Ward—no
less than 62 per cent.
Other Deaths of the Tuberculous.—In addition to deaths certified as due to tuberculosis
there were during 1919-20 32 others certified due to non-tubercular diseases, 16 in each of the
two years. Of the 32 deceased persons, 27 had been certified as suffering from pulmonary
tuberculosis and 5 from non-pulmonary. The deaths of 6 "suspects" were recorded during
the two years, 5 due to non-pulmonary diseases (including 3 from influenza) and 1 to
pulmonary (not certified during the deceased's life).
Of the 27 pulmonary patients, two had been notified as early as 1909 and in 8 instances
the disease had been certified by two or more practitioners. At least 10 of the patients had
received special institutional treatment. One patient, originally notified in 1912, was reported
as showing no signs of the disease in 1918. She died of bronchitis in 1919.
Save in one instance the causes of death of the non-pulmonary patients did not absolutely
exclude tubercular infection. In one instance such infection was included as a "secondary"
cause of death. The exception was an infant of seven months notified as a case of tubercular
meningitis whose death was due to posterior basic meningitis.
Occupational Mortality.— In Table XIV., Appendix, the average numbers of deaths from
pulmonary and other forms of tuberculosis are tabulated according to the occupations of
the deceased persons as given at Registration of Death. The only occupation under
"Pulmonary Tuberculosis" showing an actual increase is that entered as "No occupation
or occupation not stated," in which the average for males in 1919-20 shows an increase equal
to 62 per cent, of the average for 1914-18. The smallest reduction observed is that of
"Housewives" whose deaths averaged 32 per annum in 1919-20, as compared with 35 in
in 1914-18, a reduction of less than 9 per cent. The averages of deaths from non-pulmonary
tuberculosis do not compare so favourably as those from pulmonary.
Duration of Disease.—In 143 out of 225 fatal cases of pulmonary tuberculosis, i.e.,
63'5 per cent, of the cases, approximations of the duration of disease could be made. The
results are set out below in the form hitherto used in these Reports. Death ensued within

six months of the reputed onset in 19 instances (13.2 per cent.) and within 12 months
in 55 (38.4 per cent.). During 1914-18, 27.0 per cent, of the cases with known (reported)
duration succumbed within six months from onset and 43.0 per cent, within twelve. There
were 6 deaths after illnesses exceeding 10 years duration in 1919-20, and 19 in 1914-18—
representing 4.2 per cent, and 3.4 per cent, of the cases with known (reported) durations.