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93
(*) N.B.—There is always a discrepancy between the Notification
Register and the Dispensary Register, e.g., a case not desirous
of Public Medical Treatment appears on the Notification Register,
but not on the Dispensary Register.
Deaths.—The total number of Deaths in the Borough during
1938 was 74, representing a rate of .76 per 1,000 population for
all forms of the disease. The pulmonary type accounted for 61 of
the deaths—a rate of .63 per 1,000.
Public Health (Tuberculosis) Regulations, 1925.—During
the year under review, no action was taken under these regulations.
Occupations.—A consideration of this question does not
reveal any influence of occupation in the incidence of tuberculosis
in the Borough.
Housing.—-In some 40 cases during the year special recommendations
were made to the Public Health Committee of the
Council and to the London County Council for re-housing of families
that included a person with tuberculosis. In many cases suitable
offers of accommodation had to be refused because of distance
from work or an increase in rent. It would seem that from whatever
aspect the tuberculosis family is approached the economic factor
becomes an obstacle at some point, under the present circumstances.
In some of the worst cases of overcrowding, beds and bedding
have been loaned in an effort to secure segregation of infectious
cases.
New Patients.—637 new patients were dealt with during the
year including 23 transfers. The sources from which these patients
came were as follow:—
Doctors 339
Hospitals 65
Schools 4
Own application 31
Nurses 198 (including 180
Contacts).
Contacts.—180 contacts were examined during the year, of
whom 10 were found to be tuberculous—7 with pulmonary tuberculosis
and 3 non-pulmonary.
It is to be regretted that the number examined is not larger,
and particularly that more of the age-group 15-25 could not be
persuaded to avail themselves of the facilities provided—for much
valuable preventive work is to be done in this field.