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33
One bedroom contained eight beds, and eight persons regularly
used the beds, but this was a boarding house.
Eleven patients gave common lodging house addresses.
Only 42 patients out of 139 living in private houses were able
to have a bed and bedroom all to themselves.
In 57 other households, where only one bed was available,
72 persons slept in the same bed with the consumptives, and were
consequently exposed to infection. This number refers to those
families which only possessed one bed. In addition to these
there were 81 persons who occupied the same bedroom as a phthisical
patient, and in some instances the same bed. Seven bedrooms were
dark, or had insufficient light. The ventilation was insufficient
in 3 other bedrooms, and 2 bedrooms were stuffy. The defective
ventilation and absence of ventilation greatly facilitates the spread
of the disease. It is difficult sometimes to suggest means by which
it may be overcome—occasionally owners have been induced to
place gratings in the walls. Unfortunately, even when they have
been provided, the occupants have been known to stuff the aperture
with rags, and thus render these gratings useless. All the bedrooms
occupied by consumptives had fireplaces save four. It is extremely
important that every room used for human habitation should have
a fireplace or means of communication with the outer air in addition
to the window frame.
Three bedrooms were dirty; 2 were verminous. In 20
instances the patients were said to be of careless habits.
The Kitchen.—In 82 instances or 50 per cent. of the whole
number of cases, the kitchen was being used as a living room
and a sleeping room. This is one index of poverty, and shows
the difficulties of accommodation and the facilities for infection
which accrue in these poor households. Sometimes the patient
himself occupies the kitchen by day and night. 4 of the kitchens
were dirty and two were also verminous.
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.
C