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The presence of dirt and vermin may be taken to connote
carelessness, and carelessness in the family of a consumptive
means increased risk of infection for the rest of the family.
Other Measures.-Enquiry is made in every infected household for missed or suspected cases of tuberculosis. Cases so
found are urged to seek medical advice and treatment, and are
informed where and how to obtain them. The free bacteriological examination of sputum is offered to all medical men who
practise in the Borough. In 1923 the number of specimens
examined was 120, of which 30 gave positive results.
Free systematic and periodic disinfection is offered after the
notification of patients. In 1923 the rooms, bedding, feeding
utensils, towels, handkerchiefs and linen were disinfected in 66
households. A special leaflet of instruction in disinfection is left
in every home where a case of phthisis occurs and also after a
death from phthisis, and its terms are explained. Sputum flasks
are given free to poor patients, and sold at cost price to others.
A disinfectant soap for cleansing purposes is given gratis to
those who would like to scour out their rooms.
Contacts.—The number of close contacts, that is, the
number of persons of the same households as the consumptive
patients was 517. The number of remote contacts, that is, the
number of persons living in the same houses as the consumptive
patients, but not being members of the consumptives' families,
was 1,107.
Deaths.-In 1923 the number of Finsbury persons who died
of phthisis or pulmonary tuberculosis was 90. In addition to
these, 9 died from tuberculous meningitis, and 4 from other forms
of tuberculosis. The deaths from all forms of tuberculosis were
103. The deaths for previous years are given in the subjoined
table:—