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49
On the recommendation of the Public Health Committee
it was resolved to inform the Metropolitan Asylums Board that
the Council is strongly of opinion that much benefit would be
derived, and the health of the Metropolis would be greatly
improved if steps were taken to establish institutions for dealing
with cases of consumption, and therefore the Council is in favour
of the adoption of the suggestions contained in the memorial of
the Incorporated Society of Medical Officers of Health.
The Local Government Board, however, last month
informed the Managers, who had applied to them for their
opinion, that "the subject has received much careful consideration
on the part of the Board, but that the information at
present before them does not appear to afford sufficient
justification for the very heavy outlay which would be involved
in the proposal."
Influenza.
12 deaths were registered from Influenza, the numbers from
the three preceding years being 36, 17 and 18.
Cancer.
Malignant diseases caused 134 deaths, being 28 in excess of the
average of the past 10 years, allowing for the increase of the
population.
Diseases of the Respiratory System.
From these diseases there were 468 deaths, or 19.8 per cent.
of the deaths from all causes, being 52 below the corrected
decennial average.
Alcoholism.
29 deaths were directly attributed to Alcoholism or to
Cirrhosis of the Liver, against 39, 28 and 41 in the preceding
years, and in twelve cases the disease to which death was
due was stated to have been accelerated by alcohol, but these
represent hut a email proportion of the actual number.
The Council during the year published placards calling
attention to the baleful effects of alcohol, as set forth in the
report of the Committee on Physical Deterioration presented to
Parliament.