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38
fever, a disease demanding the strictest isolation
possible, 74.2 per cent, of the cases in tenements of
less than five rooms were removed, and 37.1 per cent,
of those in tenements of five rooms or more. Where
the inhabitants averaged under two per room, 64.9
per cent, of the cases were removed, and where the
average exceeded that limit, 91.3 per cent. The
figures throughout the Table are to the same effect.
It should be mentioned that there was no preparation
for this inquiry during the year, as it was
not decided to go into the matter until after the
Marylebone Conference, which took place in December.
There was, it is true, so much difficulty in
securing accommodation during the second half of the
year that many remained at home who, under more
favourable circumstances would have been recommended
for removal, and endeavours made to
persuade the parents or others to agree thereto.
Such selection has of course affected the patients
living in tenements containing larger numbers of
rooms, but the effect was felt down to tenements
of only two rooms. During the current year
records will be kept of the hospitals to which the
patients are removed, and a more systematic inquiry
made into the conditions of accommodation, the
results being tabulated in the same or a similar
manner to that presented here.*
* This same question has been considered by the Medical Officer of Health
for Kensington from the standpoint of civil status.