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is 1.22 per 1,000, and compared with the other ten South London
Boroughs we are fourth on the list, six other municipalities
having a higher proportionate number.
In 147 instances the room occupied by the deceased
was disinfected by the officers of your authority, after death.
But in a great number of instances we received, in answer to
our circular letter recommending cleansing and disinfection, an
intimation that precautions had been taken against the spread
of any possibly infectious material.
Pleurisy, which also in all probability comes under the
heading of tuberculous diseases, caused a similar number of
deaths to 1902.
In previous reports I have insisted that the necessity
for disinfection, the discontinuance of spitting, notification and
other schemes, which are put forward as remedies for the
prevention of the spread of consumption are altogether
secondary to the great importance of fresh air, sunlight and
healthy houses generally. Whether we shall ever be able to
finally dispose of the last living tubercle bacillus I very
much doubt, and it is only by putting people in such a
condition of body that they are able to resist the attacks to
which every one is more or less constantly exposed that we
shall be able to control the spread of consumption.
During the year I have made inquiries at most of the
houses where fatal cases of consumption had occurred, particularly
having regard to the length of tenancy of the deceased,
the duration of the illness and the date and locality of any
deaths of relatives that had occurred. The result of such
investigations confirms me in the opinion that the family predisposition
to tuberculous diseases is in great measure of being
overlooked under modern theories of the spread of the disease.
Second cases in houses are not common, but it is common to
find that relatives have died, perhaps several years ago and in
other parts of the country.
The deaths from cancer and the other forms of malignant
disease showed a diminution from 1902 to the extent of 30
deaths. There is, however, unfortunately, nothing further to
report in the discovery of any cause for the disease. Several
applications were received during the year for disinfection of
bedding after deaths from this disease, and although we are
not bound to do so, as a precautionary measure, whether