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16
VOLUNTARY NOTIFICATION OF CONSUMPTION.
In December, 1903, it was agreed that the voluntary notification of consumption should in the
first instance be put into force for a period of twelve months, from the 1st January, 1904, the fees to be
paid being the same as for the notifiable diseases, and last December the Council agreed to the
continuance of the voluntary notification for another year.
During the year 1904 there were 344 cases notified, 157 belonging to St. Giles and Bloomsbury
and 187 to the Holborn Division. The cost of the notifications was £20. 8s. 6d.
More than half of them, viz., 180, had been living in common lodging houses. All but two of
these were soon removed to Infirmaries. All the remaining 164 lived in tenement houses, and 94
of them were soon removed to Infirmaries or Hospitals so that only 72 remained at home. In the
majority of the cases that were at once removed to infirmary from common lodging houses, we were
unable to see the patient to obtain any details respecting the illness. It was possible, however, to obtain
details respecting 170 cases.
No relative known to have had phthisis 85
Relatives have had phthisis over five years ago 32
Ditto. less than five years ago 16
Direct infection from other persons, not relatives 6
Unascertained 31
Total 170
Length of illness.
Under one year 54
One year and under five years 61
Over five years 29
Unascertained 26
Total 170
Previous Infirmary or Hospital treatment or not ?
No previous infirmary or hospital treatment 72
Previous treatment at one hospital or infirmary 32
Do. two do. 18
Do. three do. 3
Do. four do. 3
Do. five do. 2
Unascertained 40
Total 170
If the patient is not about to be removed to infirmary or hospital this is advised if it is thought
desirable. A copy of our leaflet is left with the patient which gives brief general directions for the
prevention of the disease and special warning is given respecting spitting and the disinfection of
sputum. The premises are inspected and notice served for any sanitary defects which are found.
An attempt is made after every death or removal to infirmary or hospital to secure disinfection.
This was carried out in 134 cases.
SANATORIA.
I reported on this subject in my last Annual Report.
SPITTING.
During the year, cards of warning requesting abstention from the dangerous and objectionable
habit of spitting were sent to all the Common Lodging Houses and Public Houses in the Borough, and
to all the workshops in which more than ten people were employed.