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55
But it is very doubtful whether it can be dealt with by one
Borough acting independently of its neighbours—the probability
is that before this fell disease can be efficiently tackled, it will be
necessary for all metropolitan boroughs to co-operate in the work
and to co-ordinate their efforts.
At the present day, many of the deaths from consumption which
occur in Finsbury are those of people who have lived in the
Borough a very short time. Some of these indeed, it is asserted,
have advisedly moved into the Borough so that they may thereby
secure admission to the Poor Law Infirmary at Highgate. Others
have lodged for one or two nights in a Finsbury common lodginghouse
and and have thereby achieved a "settlement" in the
district, entitling them also to admission to the poor law infirmary
at the appropriate time.
The Poor Law Infirmary at Highgate has for many years past
had an excellent reputation amongst the poor of North London
for its humane and considerate treatment of consumption. It is
obvious that these deaths, though nominally belonging to Finsbury
and correctly accredited to the Borough, cannot legitimately be
said to be associated with any presumed insanitation, overcrowding
or bad housing in Finsbury. They are focussed in the
district from altogether different causes.
This raises another question—which is gradually crystallising
and taking form in the definite opinion that the establishment of
large philanthropic and charitable institutions is not altogether
an unmixed blessing from a public health and statistical standpoint
for the Borough concerned.
These institutions, it is true, relieve the distress in their spheres
of interest and are of exceeding great value, but they have another
and unexpected result—they attract into the district the needy, the
derelicts, the consumptives, the weak and ailing, the vagabonds
and thieves.
These people invade the cheap restaurants, live in the common
lodging houses or cheap institutions, and, unfortunately, by so
doing have an intensified and increasing opportunity of spreading
consumption and infectious disease to their neighbours.