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It is a great advantage to have cases of phthisis removed to
an institution, especially in the later stages when the expectoration
may be very profuse. This measure removes a possible
source of infection to others. Unfortunately, however, it is
difficult to secure the removal of these poor law cases until they
are helpless or sometimes almost moribund. Under these
circumstances the removal, although still advisable, is not nearly
as salutary as if it were done earlier.
The method adopted by the Registrar-General, of allocating
deaths in institutions to the districts in which the patients reside
immediately before admission, makes the Finsbury death rate
from phthisis higher than it otherwise would be.
As was pointed out last year, many consumptives come into
Finsbury a short time before death for four chief reasons :—
1. They wish, when eventually they break down in health,
to get into the local poor law infirmary, which, amongst poor
'aw patients north of the Thames, has a high reputation for the
humane and considerate treatment of its inmates.
2. There are very many charitable, philanthropic, and nursing
associations, missions and institutions in the Borough.
3. There is a considerable market for unskilled labour.