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17
Mr. A. Chapman in a paper in the "Foresters' Miscellany" for this
month (October) gives the result of an inquiry in the South London District
on the money loss through consumption, and it is so valuable that I cannot
refrain from quoting from it.
He takes as the basis of his argument the returns of the " Princess
Royal" Court, in which during the past ten years 18 members had died, 5
from consumption and 13 from other causes.
In these cases sick pay had been given as follows :—
Average per
Total. member.
Days. Amount. Days Amount.
To five consumptives 987 £105 197 £21
To 13 who died from other causes 882 91 63 7
These figures show that on an average the sick pay of consumptive
members costs three times, or £14, more than the average sick pay to members
dying from all other causes.
He then goes on to state the experience of the South London District as
to the financial aspect of the loss of life. He says :—" Along with the
question of money cost of consumptive sickness is intimately associated the
financial aspect of the loss of life occasioned by consumption. The discussions
that have arisen have led me to ascertain definitely what has been the
experience of the South London District in this respect. Starting with the
year 1880, I find that in the 2½ years, 1880, June 1904, the deaths occurring
in the district have been as follows:—425 members died from consumption
whose average age was 40 years (nearly). 2,294 members died from all causes
(including consumption), average age 52 years 4 months. Eliminating the
425 members dying from consumption, 1869 members died from other causes,
and their average age was 55 years 1 month.
" Look at these figures, they put it beyond dispute that in the South
London District the lives of 425 consumptive members have been cut short by
at least 15 years. What does that mean financially ? Les us see !
Consumptive members died in 24½ years 425
Multiply by £14 the excess cost of sick pay as experience
of " Princess Royal"14
Total excess of sick pay to 425 consumptive members . £5,950