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264
1902]
be provided out of the rates in support of a Sanatorium which is about to be
built. In Sunderland the Town Council subscribe £150 per annum for
the use of two beds in the Sanatorium at Stanhope; and in Manchester
Mr. W. J. Crossley, J.P., has made a splendid gift of a new Sanatorium for
Consumptives.
The Counties are also taking action, for I find that in Cheshire, Cornwall,
Devonshire, Durham, Wiltshire, Somersetshire, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire,
Yorkshire (East and West Ridings), Westmoreland and Nottingham,
Sanatoria have been, or are about to be, erected.
This information shows how strong a hold the prevention of Phthisis has
taken on the responsible authorities, and on the people themselves, throughout
England. It is, however, by no means exhaustive, for there is much going on
of which I am not aware.
It will be well now to consider the extent of the mortality which is caused
annually by this disease, so that you may form some idea of its extent. And
for this purpose I refer you to the Tables attached to this report.
Out of a total of 57,848 deaths from All Causes in Islington in the ten
years 1892—1901, Consumption was the cause of 5,478, or 9.5 per cent. Of
these deaths 3,258 were of males, and 2,220 of females. The death-rate
averaged 1.64 per 1,000 inhabitants. It caused 1,221 more deaths than the
combined deaths from Small Pox, Measles, Scarlet Fever, Diphtheria and
Enteric Fever, to prevent which the strongest sanitary measures are adopted.
The deaths, too, from Consumption occur at the most valuable period
of life, for in the ten years 1892—1901, 694 were registered between
15 and 25 years of age, 1,170 between 25 and 35, 1,327 between 35 and 45,
925 between 45 and 55, and 483 between 55 and 65; whereas nearly all the
deaths from the Zymotic Diseases are registered at the early ages of life.
A consumptive, however, dies just at that period when life is most
valuable, as computed in pounds, shillings and pence, and is also most
precious in the family circle. To stay the course of this disease, however,
practically nothing is done : and yet it has now been demonstrated beyond
doubt that it too, is very amenable to preventive and precautionary measures,
and that consequently its spread can be retarded.
Notification and disinfection are the two chief agencies in its prevention.
The former will give us information as to its habitation and will place in our
hands an opportunity of studying the means by which it is disseminated, and