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73
more than a small proportion of the mortality really caused by
alcoholism. It is more than likely that some of the deaths of
infants attributed to being "laid upon" in bed, are really caused
indirectly by alcoholism. During 1905 there were, as already
pointed out, 29 deaths so caused. Cirrhosis of the liver, a condition
due, as a rule, to alcoholic excess, caused the death of 22 persons.
Hence it may be said that at least 30 deaths were probably due to
alcoholic excess. The figures are as follows:—
Years.
Alcoholism.
Cirrhosis of
Liver.
Total.
1901 11 22 33
1902 27 21 48
1903 22 29 51
1904 19 25 44
1905 8 22 30
All of the 8 deaths due directly to alcoholism occurred between
the ages of 33 and 43.
There are in Finsbury 309 licensed premises, or one to every
329 persons. In about 100 of these, notices of dilution under the
Food and Drugs Acts are exhibited with the view of protecting
the vendor in the event of prosecution for selling adulterated spirits.
Out of the 8 deaths due directly to alcoholism, 3 were women,
one of whom was a barmaid aged 31, who died of delirium tremens
after three days' illness. Out of the 22 deaths due to alcoholic
liver (a more chronic form of poisoning), 10 were women. Three
of the 12 men were barmen.
The Public Health Committee were instructed by the Council to
circulate in the Borough, in pursuance of the advice of the Physical
Deterioration Committee's Report, the following statement on the
injurious effect which may be produced by excessive consumption
of alcohol:—