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7
Tuberculosis (Consumption) should be made compulsorily notifiable. Further
details of the resolutions passed respecting further measures to limit the spread of
the disease are given under that heading.
The Local Government Board has recently published a large illustrated
volume on Sanatoria for Consumption and certain other aspects of the Tuberculosis
Question, which embodies a large mass of critical and statistical information
respecting the subject. On the vexed question of the notification of Consumption,
Dr. Bulstrode considers that the time has not yet arrived for judging, in the light
of Phthisis death-rates, the value of notification in the repression of the disease.
Under the heading of Infantile Mortality I have, in previous reports, pointed
out the desirability of a much earlier registration of births than the six weeks
after occurrence which is allowed by the existing law. The Council is well aware
that the Notification of Births Act, 1907, was passed during the year and at an
early opportunity it resolved to adopt the Act and the Local Government Board
consented to this, the date fixed being the 9th March, 1908.
On pages 13-16 some details are given respecting the important question
of Infantile Mortality and the measures that have been taken to prevent
infantile illnesses and deaths. The arrangements which have been in force since
June, 1906, with the Express Dairy Company for the supply of modified milk for
infants of the working classes for about the same charges as at Municipal Milk
Depots, and without any cost to the Council, are becoming more known and more
frequently used. In the majority of cases the mothers are very well satisfied and
the infants thrive well on the milk.
During the year, under the Cleansing of Persons Act, 247 men, 7 women, and
12 children infested with vermin, had their bodies and clothing disinfected free of
charge.
By April 15the, the day fixed for the adjourned meeting of the Local
Government Board inquiry respecting the Warner Street (Italian Colony) Area,
all the courts had been closed and partly demolished, affording light, ventilation
and air space. The underground rooms had been discontinued for living purposes
and the repairs, alterations and renovations agreed upon had been carried out.
The erection of houses for the working classes on the site of the Union
Buildings Area which was begun in August, 1906, was continued during the year
and it is expected that they will be completed about the middle of 1908.
Under the London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1907, increased
powers are given with a view to preventing the sale of Tubercular Milk. Powers
are also given for the compulsory cleansing of verminous children attending any
of the London County Council's schools and verminous inmates of Common
Lodging Houses. Also for the provision of water supply in tenement houses, for
families on separate floors.