London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Wimbledon 1909

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wimbledon]

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The following list gives the various occupations—

Confectioner1
Confectioner's Assistant1
Housewife11
Labourer3
Coach Trimmer1
Engraver1
Schoolmistress1
Domestic Servant1
Bridle Cutter1
Saddler1
Lather1
Flour Merchant1
Dairyman's Assistant1
Laundryman1
Governess1
Army Pensioner1
Dyer1
Coachman1
Draper's Assistant1
Blacksmith1
Telegraphist1
Painter1
Shop Assistant1
No Occupation6

Only 13 notifications were received under the voluntary
system in addition to the 29 received under the Public Health
(Tuberculosis) Regulations, which came into force on January
1st, 1909.
In all cases of Phthisis inquiries are made by the Department
with regard to getting disinfection carried out, but in
32 cases this was refused.
The problem of dealing with the Consumptive is one of
the most urgent at present confronting the country, and in
view of the fact that if taken in its early stages it is readily
curable, the attitude of the Public Authorities throughout the
country seems to be unsound from a financial point of view,
when it is borne in mind that one-eleventh of the total cost
of the Poor Law Administration is due to Tuberculosis' The
problem does not only concern the actual sulferer, but the
whole family, and in view of the latest researches in Germany
among children where it is found that 30 per cent. and over
of large numbers taken haphazard react to tuberculin tests,
particularly by Von Pirquets method, it would seem that
31