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54
cause of arterial degeneration, and the chief if not
the only cause of many nervous diseases such as locomotor
ataxy and general paralysis of the insane, and as it is
transmitted from the parents to the children, a large
number of deaths of infants are due to it, and in later
years inherited syphilis may cause blindness, deafness,
and various bone, skin, and other lesions. As it is obvious
that if the disease can be recognised and effectively
treated in the early stage the sources of infection must
be lessened the Public Health Committee were urged to
make arrangements to have specimens of the blood of
patients, when desired by their medical attendants, tested
for the Wassermann reaction, which when positive
denotes syphilitic infection, but the Committee resolved
not to carry out the recommendation.
Diseases of the Respiratory System.
From these diseases there were 373 deaths or 18.4 per
cent. of the deaths from all causes, being 20 below the
average number in the ten years 1903-12.
Violence.
The deaths of Fulham residents from various forms of
violence numbered 73, of which 14 were due to suicide.

CERTIFICATION OF THE CAUSES OF
DEATH.
Of the 2,028 deaths registered 1,858 or 91.6 per cent.
were certified by registered medical practitioners and
168 by Coroners after inquests; the deaths of two
infants being uncertified.