London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Lambeth 1898

Report on the vital and sanitary statistics of the Parish of Lambeth during the year 1898

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(that has been used by the deceased) should be thoroughly
washed, and the mattresses, pillows, &c., exposed to the
fresh air and sunlight (or ordinary daylight) for several
hours.
Kindly advise me, on the enclosed post card, when it
will be convenient for the Vestry's Officers to call and
carry out the necessary disinfection.
Circular Letter d.
Dear Sir,
I am directed by the Vestry of Lambeth to forward
you copies of a leaflet which I have drawn up, pointing out
the danger of Tuberculosis (more especially Phthisis or
Consumption), and the ready means at hand for its
prevention.
The Vestry is of opinion that you, by virtue of your
position, have many opportunities of distributing such
leaflets, in the course of your parochial work, and I am
taking the liberty of enclosing you half-a-dozen copies, and
shall be glad to furnish you with such extra ones as you
may require, either for your own use, or for the use of
others who may be working with you in connection with
district visiting, etc.
It is now acknowledged by practically all medical men
that the disease is one that is communicable, either directly
from person to person, or indirectly through infected food
(milk and meat), and is due to the entrance into the body,
from without, of a germ or microbe, called the tubercle
bacillus.
I would add that the Vestry is in possession of means
whereby the expectoration of patients may be examined
bacteriologically for the presence of the tubercle bacillus,
and that such examinations will be made free of cost, on
receiving at the Public Health Department (333, Kennington
Road) samples from suspected cases of Consumption—
the samples to be taken by the medical men in attendance,
or where there are no such medical men, by the relatives
or friends of the patients.