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60
TUBERCULOSIS.
In what has been written above the mortality rates have been compared without taking
cognizance of the differences in the sex-age compositions of the populations. Standardised rates
which, as already explained, do make the necessary allowances, have been calculated for
pulmonary tuberculosis only. The rates for the circumjacent districts, the Borough and its
Wards are given in Tables 25 and 26. The extent to which the recorded numbers of deaths
from pulmonary tuberculosis in the Wards depart from the "standard number"—the number
determined from the average sex-age mortality rates of England and Wales—is shown by the
appended statement.

Lest it should be thought that data submitted in the foregoing paragraphs indicate that
tuberculosis is not really diminishing in the Borough, the annexed review of the recorded deaths
from 1901 to 1912 has been prepared. The total population of the Borough, according to the
last census, has varied so slightly since 1901 that such comparison is practically as instructive as
one of mortality rates. The figures show that there has been during the twelve years a decline
of 8 per cent, in the number of deaths from pulmonary tuberculosis, of 35 per cent. in the case of
tuberculous meningitis, and of 21 per cent, in that of the remaining forms of the disease.

A distribution of the deaths from tuberculosis during the past year, according to the
occupations stated to have been followed by the deceased persons, is to be found in Table 38
(cols. 3 and 5). It is a common experience to find that the occupation given in the death return
differs from that recorded at the time of notification. Doubtless, in certain instances, such
difference is due to the patient being compelled to seek new work at some date after notification
on account of the condition of his health, a change which would be of advantage to the public
in certain cases. For the reason already stated it appears to be undesirable to attempt, with the
present information, to put forward any fatality rates for occupations.
In Table 37 (second section) the deaths of persons certified for the first time during the
year have been distributed on the same lines as the notifications. The deaths of such persons
from tuberculosis were known to have numbered 89, that number of deaths being included in
official returns received by the Department. In all probability other deaths among the notified
cases occurred outside the Borough, and two such cases were informally brought to the knowledge
of the Department. The inclusion of those two deaths (making a known total of 91) would
represent a fatality of 13.7 per 100 cases reported for the first time during the year. There can,
however, be little doubt that that figure understates the truth.