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75
This alone is eloquent of the desire to exclude the presence of
alcoholism from the certificates of the causes of death.
Insurance companies and friendly societies watch the death
certificates for its inclusion. The patient's friends therefore,
endeavour to conceal the part it played in the illness which preceded
death, otherwise the insurance payment and the friendly
society benefits might be withheld.

Thirteen of the cases died in the workhouse and workhouse
infirmary.
CONSUMPTION OF THE LUNGS.
Notification.— Finsbury was one of the very first boroughs
to adopt the voluntary notification of phthisis and of "open"
tuberculosis, that is, tuberculosis associated with discharges.
This was in 1900, or 12 years ago. From the very first, the
cases were visited by the public health staff, suitable enquiries
were made into the origin of the disease, the home circumstances
and the sanitary condition of the premises. Appropriate advice
was given to the patient and to the contacts. A leaflet of
instruction was left with the patient, and periodic disinfection
of the premises was offered. In recent years events have moved
rapidly.
The notification of patients in poor law institutions was made
compulsory under the Public Health (Tuberculosis) Regulations
of the Local Government Board, which came into force on the 1st
January, 1909.