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9
As far as the medical profession and the general public
are concerned, this has been a year of doubt, suspicion and
turmoil as to what would be the effect of the Act, but the farreaching
influence which such a measure of national importance
is destined to have on the public health of this country is
sufficient justification for such an Act. A quickened interest
coupled with the insistent demand of a more enlightened public
opinion that the country should come to the help of the
individual, should in time do away with all poverty, and let us
hope, the squalor of a certain section of the community, and
prove to us that the age of miracles has not passed.
Infectious Diseases.
There is a marked decline in the prevalence of typhoid
fever, which is an indication of the sanitary progress of the
borough. Measles and scarlet fever have been prevalent
during the year but fortunately they have both been of a mild
type. In addition to which the Order of the Local Government
Board authorizing the Metropolitan Asylums Board to utilize
spare accommodation in their hospitals for the reception and
treatment of measles may be said to have reduced the mortality
from that disease; which fact shows the value of institutional
care of infectious diseases especially in Poor Law cases.
Deaths in Public Institutions.
579 deaths in Public Institutions outside the borough of
persons belonging to Deptford are included in estimating the
vital statistics in this Report. In 1912 the number dying in
these institutions was rather less than in 1911. These returns
are interesting, as something may be learned of the social
conditions of a locality when so large a proportion in times of
sickness seek refuge in public institutions, more especially in
the workhouses. Generally this implies poverty and want, but
it may also, and no doubt does, imply that the institutions have
a good reputation, and attract sufferers to them.