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113
[1899
Perhaps no disease has been the object of so much interest
to the public and the medical profession during late years as
Phthisis and Tubercular diseases generally, particularly since
they have been recognised as being to a large extent preventable.
Although as yet little has been effected in Islington in its prevention
I am glad to note among the medical men practising here an
increasing anxiety to help the Sanitary Authority. It is hoped
that before long, in addition to the bacterological diagnosis of
Phthisis, at present effected free of charge to practitioners, that
disinfection and repairof premises following on notification will be the
general rule and not the exception, for it must not be forgotten that
tuberculosis is not only a disease communicable by means of food
such as milk, but is also generally to be found amidst insanitary
surroundings, or under conditions which lessen vitality, especially
where these include laok of light and ventilation.
Tabes Mesenterica.—50 deaths were ascribed to this disease,
of which 46 were under 5 years, the remaining 4 being under 15
years. The disease was fatal to 26 males and 24 females. The
death-rate was 0.14 per 1,000 of the entire population, but the
46 deaths of children under 5 years old represesented a mortality
of 1.11 per 1,000 among them.
Tubercular Meningitis or Hydrocephalus was the registered
cause of the deaths of 89 persons, 71 of whom had not
reached 5 years of age, and of whom 44 were males and 45 females.
The death-rate for the entire population was 0.26 per 1000, while
among children under 5 years it was 172 per 1000.
Scrofula was the ascribed cause of 7 deaths, 2 of which were
under 5 years of age.