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7
of the year, 284 in the second, 55 in the third, and 153 in the fourth
quarter. Influenza was very prevalent in London during the latter half
of February and in March, 769 deaths being registered in 8 weeks (8th
February to 4th April).
Respiratory Diseases.—The death-rate from these diseases in
Chelsea, in 1908, was 2.68 per 1,000, as against 2.87 per 1,000 in 1907.
The London death-rate from respiratory diseases, in 1908, was also 2.68
per 1.000.
Tubercular Diseases.—The death-rate from phthisis and other
tubercular diseases in Chelsea, in 1908, was 1.56 per 1.000, as against
1.93 per 1,000 in 1907. The death-rate in London from these diseases,
in 1908, was 1.88 per 1,000. Of the 97 deaths from phthisis in Chelsea
in 1908, 39, or 40.2 per cent. occurred in the Chelsea Workhouse
Infirmary, and 18, or 18.6 per cent. in other public institutions, making
a total of 58.8 per cent. of the cases dying in public institutions away
from their own homes. The average for the 8 years, 1900—1907, is
44.1 per cent. in the Chelsea Infirmary, and 13.9 per cent. in other
public institutions, making a total of 58 per cent. of the cases.
The following Table, VIII., shows the average death-rates from
phthisis aud other tubercular diseases amongst males and females in
Chelsea for the years 1901—1908. For comparison similar figures for
England and Wales are shown, for the years 1901—1906. It will be
observed that, whilst the death-rate of males, from phthisis, in England
and Wales is about 42 per cent. in excess of that of females, in Chelsea
the male death-rate, from phthisis, is more than double the female
death-rate from that disease.
Table VIII.
Death-rate per million from Phthisis and other Tubercular Diseases
amongst Males and Females.—Averages of 1901-1908.
Phthisis.
Other Tubercular
Diseases.
Total Tubercular.
Males
Females
Persons
Males
Females
Persons
Males
Females
Persons
Chelsea
2187
1034
1547
453
387
416
2641
1421
1956
England and Wales
(1901-06)
1422
1001
1204
564
478
519
1986
1479
1723
The low female death-rate from phthisis and the high male deathrate,
observed in Chelsea, are probably characteristic of the rates for
London as a whole, but I have been unable to obtain the figures. The
comparison with England and Wales for the 6 years, 1901—06, shows
that while the female death-rate in Chelsea is about equal to that of the
country generally, the male death-rate in Chelsea is 57 per cent. in
excess of that of the country generally. In Chelsea about 20 per cent.
of the female population, over the age of 10 years, is engaged in
domestic service. It seems probable that female domestic servants, if
they contract tuberculosis, leave their situations, and in consequence