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Thirty-four were employed in dusty occupations: these are
known to favour the onset of consumption.
Thirty-one were engaged in work of a sedentary and confined
nature.
Twelve patients were homeworkers.
The straitened circumstances which force the father or mother,
harassed with consumption, to undertake work at home augur very
badly for recovery from the disease or even for the staying of
its downward progress, and foreshadow the ultimate infection of
other members of the family.
Unemployment and Insurance. — Enquiry was made as to
the unemployment of the patients during the 52 weeks preceding
notification. Thirty-two per cent. of the whole number had been
in regular employment without losing a single day; 25 per cent.
had been absent from work for periods ranging from a few days
to one month; 16 per cent. had lost from one to three months
work; 9 per cent. had been out of work from three to six months.
The rest had been unemployed for six months or more. Information
was obtained as to thrift and insurance. Forty-four per
cent. were insured at the time of the first visit, 6 per cent. had
been formerly insured but had allowed the policies to lapse owing
to poverty. Nine per cent. were members of friendly societies,
8 per cent. belonged to share-out clubs, 7 per cent. were members
of trade unions, 25 per cent. were definitely not insured, and 1
per cent. were formerly members of a trade union, but had been
unable to keep up their subscriptions.
Treatment.—Out of 438 patients, 133 had been treated at the
Holborn Poor Law Infirmary or Workhouse.
Fifteen patients received sanatorium treatment during the year,
and thereby obtained a training which is of great preventive and
educational value.
Each patient, when visited, was asked whether he would like
to have sanatorium treatment or not—210 stated that they would