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26
It will be noted also in the table that the greater number of cases reported
occurred in houses where the water closet was shared. This is a relevant factor,
as bacteriological investigations have shown that the Sonne dysentery organism is
frequently present within a w.C. compartment and w.C. hygiene is therefore very
important.
Tuberculosis.
The figures for new cases and deaths due to pulmonary tuberculosis in 1958
give no cause for complacency, and it is very apparent that this infection is still
a major medical and social problem in areas such as Islington. Both the number of
new cases and the number of deaths were somewhat higher than in 1957. as will be
apparent from the figures in the tables. The 28 deaths from this cause in 1957
were the lowest on record, and had reached this level from a declining death rate
over a period of several years. Although there was an apparent set-back in 1958 it
is unlikely that this will affect the downward long-term trend and it would be
surprising if the same did not apply to the new cases, although the diminution is
likely to be somewhat slower if the experience of the past few years continues to
be a guide for the future.
As in previous years, tuberculosis continues to affect males to a considerably
greater degree than females, roughly in the proportion 2:1. The largest single
group of new cases was in the age group from 25 to 35 with 90 men and 50 women.
Among the older age groups the difference between male and female new cases is even
more marked, a high proportion of the total number of new male cases being in those
over 45. Elderly -persons with chronic infection of the lungs are the. most likely
source of transmitting the infection to others and it would appear that in this
respect the males are probably more guilty than the females. No person with longstanding
cough should hesitate to seek medical advice both for his own benefit and
the possible advantage of others.

Rates per 1,000 population:
New cases : pulmonary 2.21 non-pulmonary 0.14
Deaths : pulmonary 0.14 non-pulmonary 0.02