View report page

44
"The number of persons in receipt of parochial relief out of the 371 cases investigated was
243, as against 128 non-chargeable persons: but of these 128 cases a considerable number subsequently
became chargeable and were admitted to the Borough Infirmary.
The following notified cases seem worthy of a passing notice :
"A laundry girl aged 15½, died after two years' illness of phthisis, said to have resulted from
catching cold at work; on visitation of the home, the father was found dying of the same disease,
which had previously proved fatal to an aunt; it being alleged, moreover, that five or six of her
brothers had died in infancy of tuberculous disease.
"A tailor, aged 52, without a phthisical family history, who died after a few months' illness,
attributed the disease to the bad ventilation of the workshop where he was employed, in the
Borough. Enquiry elicited the fact that the means of ventilation were ample, but were all kept
closed by the employes themselves.
"A labourer, aged 42 (whose wife's father had died of phthisis), succumbed after nine months'
illness. He had slept for two years in a dark and poorly-ventilated basement room. The wife
stated that her husband had enjoyed good health till they came to live in this room.
"A charwoman, aged 45, died after a year's illness. There was no phthisis in the family, but
she had worked at a house for some time before being taken ill, and had charge of the room of the
phthisical master of it.
"An artist-painter, aged 29, died of phthisis. There was a phthisical family history, and the
deceased had suffered from Potter's Asthma for some years.
"A watchmaker, aged 54, without family history of phthisis, and who had been ill for a year,,
attributed the disease to the bad ventilation of a workshop, where, owing to the darkness, artificial
light (gas) was used all day. The facts of this case were communicated to the Medical Officer of
Health of the Borough in which the workshop is situated.
"In the majority of notified cases the rooms occupied by the sick persons were found to be
fairly clean and ventilated. In others, the rooms were close and dirty. Speaking generally, we
noted with satisfaction a continued improvement (as compared with 1902-3) in ventilation, by open
windows, and an increasing appreciation of the value of fresh air to phthisical persons, as also of
the danger arising from indiscriminate ' spitting.'
"In each case instructions were given to the patient, or the relatives, enjoining the necessity
of wet-cleansing of rooms, furniture, etc.; and also with respect to the treatment of sputa.
"The Council's leaflet on ' The Cause and Prevention of Consumption ' was left at each
infected house, as also was a card containing clear and simple rules for preventing the spread of
infection, such as could be carried out without interfering with the patient's daily avocations.
"We desire to acknowledge the courtesy with which our visits and enquiries were received,
and the general willingness of persons concerned, sufferers and relatives alike, to carry out the
advice and instructions given.
"The appended tables, summarizing the more salient results of the enquiry, are self
explanatory."