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remaining 132 many, probably 10 or 20 per cent., of these deaths
are due to phthisis.
This matter is not peculiar to Finsbury—the same argument
and considerations hold for all other towns. In New York since
the notification of phthisis was made compulsory there has been
a gradual decline in the number of deaths attributed to bronchitis
in adults and a transference of a fair proportion of these deaths
to the phthisis column.
Visits and Re-visits to patients.—Every case of phthisis
in Finsbury is visited in the first instance by one of the district
sanitary inspectors. This has been done continuously since the
year 1900. It is well that this should be clearly known, as it is
sometimes alleged that these visits are of recent adoption. The
Finsbury cases of phthisis have been visited by the staff of the
public health department for the last 11 years. The cases are
re-visited by the lady sanitary inspector.
The first visit is paid as soon as possible after the receipt of
the notification.
Re-visits are paid whenever it is thought desirable. In the
absence of any indications to the contrary, the re-visits take place
at intervals of one to three months.
Cases already under local medical men or under local nurses
are not taken up except with the approval and consent of the
doctor or nurse concerned.
Disinfection is, however, offered in these cases, and a sanitary
survey of the premises is made if the patient does not object.
At each visit, enquiry is made into the following matters, as
affecting the patient, and suitable advice given :—
The provision of a separate room, a separate bedroom, a
separate bed, a separate towel, a separate handkerchief, separate
utensils and separate facilities for washing,