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167
A sanitary survey was made of every tenement, and the
nuisances found were made the subjects of subsequent notices and
amendment.
Disinfection.—Free systematic and periodic disinfection is
offered after the notification of the patients. In 1937 the rooms,
bedding, feeding utensils, towels, handkerchiefs and linen were
disinfected in 123 households.
A leaflet of instruction is left in every home where a case of
tuberculosis occurs and also after a death from tuberculosis, and
its terms are explained to the head of the family. Sputum flasks
are supplied free of charge. A disinfectant soap for cleansing purposes
is given gratis to those who like to scour their rooms.
Deaths.—In 1937 the number of Finsbury persons who died
of phthisis or pulmonary tuberculosis was 61. In addition to
these, three died from other forms of tuberculosis.
The deaths from all forms of tuberculosis were 64.
The deaths for previous years, in ten-year periods, are given
in the following table:—

The phthisis death-rate in London for 1937 was 0.71 per
1,000 inhabitants.
It is very probable, however, that this list does not contain
all the deaths from phthisis which occur in Finsbury. Some are
probably concealed on the death certificates and wrongly entered
as due to pneumonia, bronchitis, pleurisy, asthma, or influenza.