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The number of deaths from respiratory diseases was 195 in 1916, as
compared with 276 in 1915. Under 5 years of age there were 37 deaths,
as against 48 in 1915; over 45 years of age there were 148 deaths, as
against 200 in 1915.
The deaths from pulmonary tuberculosis in 1916 numbered 80 (53
males and 27 females). Other tubercular diseases caused 12 deaths (6
males and 6 females). Of the pulmonary tuberculosis cases ending fatally,
42.5 per cent. died in the Chelsea Infimary and 19 per cent. in other
public institutions; that is to say 61.5 per cent. died away from their
homes. In 1915 the corresponding figure was 64 8 per cent.
During the year 167 new cases of pulmonary tuberculosis were
notified, as against 119 in 1915, 93 being males and 74 females. Of the
notified cases of pulmonary tuberculosis on the register 83 died during
the course of the year. Sixty-one specimens of sputum were sent by
medical practitioners to the Lister Institute for examination, as against
75 in 1915. Of the 61 specimens 26 per cent, were positive for T.B., and
74 per cent. negative; the figures for 1915 being 32 per cent. positive and
68 per cent. negative.
In 1916, 17 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis were discharged from
open-air sanatoria, in which they had received institutional treatment as
"insured persons" under the sanatorium benefit provided by the London
Insurance Committee. In 1915, 40 cases of "insured persons" were
discharged from sanatoria. The average duration of the stay of the 17
cases in sanatoria was 3 months, as against 3.3 months in 1915, 3.2 in
1914, and 2.5 in 1913. In addition to the 17, 5 insured persons had
hospital treatment, the average duration of stay in hospital being 2.6
months.
Six uninsured persons received open-air sanatorium institutional
treatment under the London Couuty Council scheme for the uninsured,
as against 7 in 1915. The average duration of stay in a sanatorium was
3.7 months, as compared with only 2.4 months in 1915. In addition,
6 cases had treatment in Brompton Hospital; average stay, 2.2 months.
The number of new cases of pulmonary tuberculosis visited in the
course of the year was 72, and of non-pulmonary cases 15. The total
number of visits paid in respect of all cases of tuberculosis was 353.
Five patients were lent beds and bedding by the Borough Council,
and 23 pocket spittoons were given away. Twenty-seven contacts were
sent for medical examination: 22 to Brompton Hospital, of whom 9
were found to be tuberculous; and 5 to St. George's Hospital, of whom
2 were found to be tuberculous.
Thirty-two new cases of non-pulmonary tuberculosis were notified
in 1916, 16 being children under 15 years of age and 16 adults. Several
cases were helped to obtain proper surgical treatment in hospitals, and 8
were sent to country or seaside homes. As in previous years, a great deal
of this work was carried out by the Invalid Children's Aid Association,
the Chelsea branch of which is now acting as an Interim Tuberculosis
Care Committee for Chelsea.
Five cases of cerebrospinal meningitis were notified in Chelsea in
1916, as against 10 in 1916. Four of the cases had a fatal termination.
Four of the cases were under 15 years of age. Four cases were removed
to hospital.