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27
Before the advent of the Dispensary the great majority of consumptives were not notified
until they were in the last stages of the disease, and for this reason the figures given do not of
tnemselves throw any light on the question of the average duration of phthisis from onset to death.
At the same time, inadequate as they are, they still afford some indication of the well-known fact
rhat consumptives may continue to live for five or ten years or even longer periods of time,
although the disease is destined to end in death.

The figures given are of interest as showing the very large number of consumptives reported
in the poorer wards, but they must not be taken as representing the relative prevalence of phthisis
in North and South Kensington. The high figures for North Kensington are very largely due to
notifications from the Tuberculosis Dispensary, an institution which makes no provision for persons
tesiding south of Holland Park Avenue. Reference should therefore be made to the Table of
deaths among all classes as a more reliable guide to the proportional incidence of phthisis on the
various districts in the Borough. (Vide p. 22.)
The age and sex of the persons newly notified are shown in the following Table. The high
figures returned for the age period 5-15 years has resulted from the notification of large numbers
of children by the Medical Officer of the Tuberculosis Disnensarv :—