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34
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 1926 the number of specimens examined was 165,
of which 34 gave positive results.
Free systematic and periodic disinfection is offered after the
notification of patients. In 1926 the rooms, bedding, feeding
utensils, towels, handkerchiefs and linen were disinfected in 59
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 472. 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 995.
Deaths.—In 1926 the number of Finsbury persons who died
of phthisis or pulmonary tuberculosis was 88. In addition to
these, 2 died from tuberculous meningitis, and 10 from other forms
of tuberculosis. The deaths from all forms of tuberculosis were
100. The deaths for previous years are given in the subjoined
table:—