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Tuberculosis in the Parish of Greenwich, and in 1897 the number
of deaths were 161.
The conditions most favourable to the spread of this disease
are poverty, dirt, and intemperance, and the existence of diseases
which lower the general health.
Insanitary conditions, e.g., dampness, overcrowding, and
insufficiently ventilated rooms and work-places, also favor its
spread.
As Consumption is an infectious disease, a great amount of
good can be done by isolation and disinfection, especially of the
expectoration, which abounds with poisonous microbes and if
allowed to dry are carried in the atmosphere and taken into the
air-passages.
In case of death from Consumption I would strongly
recommend that the Board should offer free of expense to fumigate
the room or rooms, and to disinfect the bed, bedding, etc., in the
same manner as in cases of Scarlet Fever or Diphtheria.
GENERAL REMARKS.
Overcrowding.—I regret to state that during the past year
a great number of cases of overcrowding have come to my
knowledge, principally from want of house accommodation.
Since the opening of the Blackwall Tunnel there has been a
large influx of the artisan and laboring classes into Greenwich
without a corresponding increase in the number of houses, hence
it is impossible to obtain proper house accommodation at a
reasonable rental.
There are some open spaces which have been cleared of