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The above figures cannot in themselves indicate the effect of occupation on the prevalence of
consumption, and no conclusions can be drawn until they have been compared with the Census
figures which will shortly be published, and which will show the proportion of persons in the total
population engaged in various occupations. It may, however, be noted that 55 cases and 16 deaths
occurred among shoemakers, clerks and tailors or dressmakers, that is to say among persons who
lead an indoor life and frequently work in an atmosphere which is close because the means of
ventilation in their workplaces are either inadequate or not used.
Preventive Measures.—The measures to be adopted for the prevention of phthisis may be
classified as direct and indirect. The prevention of overcrowding in homes and in workshops, the
provision of adequate light and ventilation, and the closing or demolition of insanitary houses may
be mentioned as examples of action which have no doubt been indirectly responsible for the steady
decrease in the death-rate of phthisis which has occurred in the last twenty years. The scope of
the sanitary inspectors is seriously limited by the fact that the working classes cannot pay rents
which would, at the same time, secure adequate cubic space in the homes they occupy, and a profit
for the landlord; but although difficulties stand in the way, there is every reason to believe that the
improvement in the conditions of the homes, the workshops, and the schools of the healthy, will
do more to prevent the spread of consumption than is likely to be effected by the closest attention
to the environment of those who are already sick. The following description of the action taken
by those who deal directly with existing centres of infection, must accordingly be understood to
apply to a part only of the preventive work which is carried out in the Borough.
Work of the Lady Sanitary Inspectors.—For the purpose of making inquiries, offering
assistance and giving advice, 831 first visits and 854 revisits were paid by the Lady Inspectors
to the homes of the consumptive persons who were notified to the Public Health Department
during the year. In addition, 102 visits were paid to the homes of persons who had died. For
the sake of brevity, the action taken during the year for the prevention of consumption may be
summarised in tabular form as follows:—

At the first visit a printed card of advice is left, and the particulars as to the history, home
surroundings and treatment obtained are subsequently entered on the case sheets containing the
notes of every patient notified. Second visits are paid with the object of obtaining for patients the
treatment they require, and of seeing that the advice given is carried out. 288 pocket sputum
flasks and 252 sputum cups have been purchased by the Council during the year for the use of
consumptives. The greater number of these flasks and cups have been distributed at the
Tuberculosis Dispensary; the remainder have been taken to the homes of consumptive patients
by the Lady Inspectors. From the summary given it will be understood that a very large amount
of valuable work has been carried out by the Lady Inspectors during the year.