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ii. Voluntary Notification of Phthisis. — This subject was fully discussed at tire
Congress, which adopted a resolution in favour of it. I am happy to say that your
Committee, immediately after its formation at the end of 1900, commenced voluntary
notification of phthisis in the Borough of Finsbury. Ordinary notification fees are paid.
Up to the present the system has yielded excellent results. It appears that this Sanitary
Authority was the first in London to adopt this measure. The Corporation of the City of
London adopted a similar system in July, 1901.
iii. Disinfection alter Death from Phthisis was strongly recommended by the Congress,
and a large body of evidence, especially from Manchester, was furnished in support of this
nractice. Such disinfection has been regularly carried out after all deaths from phthisis in
under the Vestry of Clerkenwell.
iv. Instruction of the Public.—A resolution was passed at the Congress to the effect
"that tuberculous sputum is the main agent for the conveyance of the virus of
"tuberculosis from man to man, and that indiscriminate spitting should therefore be
"suppressed," and further resolutions were passed with regard to instructing the public
upon this point through the most convenient channels, namely, the Dispensaries, the
National Societies for the prevention of tuberculosis, and the Sanitary Authorities. Your
Committee has already taken steps in this direction.
v. Sanatoria for Consumptives.—The Congress passed a resolution " That the provision
"of Sanatoria is an indispensable part of the measures necessary for the diminution
"of tuberculosis." This was moved by Sir J. Burdon-Sanderson (Regius Professor of
Medicine at Oxford), and seconded by Sir R. Douglas Powell (Physician to His Majesty
the King). Some steps have been taken with a view to joint action of the various PoorLaw
Authorities in the Metropolis, but at present matters are in a preliminary stage.
The Congress also made arrangements for continuing its work in various Directions.
But the object of the present Memorandum is to deal only with matters immediately affecting
the Borough of Finsbury.
GEORGE NEWMAN, M.D.,
Medieul Offirer of Health-
Finsbury Town Hall,
Rosebery Avenue, E.C.
August, 10th, 1901.
Resolved:
On September 5, 1901, the Finsbury Borough Council, having considered
the above Memorandum, unanimously adopted the following recommendation
of the Public Health Committee—namely, "To continue to use all
"the powers at their disposal, and to relax no effort whatever to
"protect the public against the spread of tuberculosis by milk and meat,
"and that the Medical Officer of Health and Inspectors continue to act as
"heretofore."