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44
PHTHISIS.
The deaths from Phthisis during the year were 489, as against 496
for 1903.
The annual death-rate per 1,000 living was 2.36.
Deaths from Phthisis during the last Ten Years:—
1895 533 1900 571
1896 490 1901 516
1897 520 1902 550
1898 565 1903 496
1899 621 1904 489
The voluntary notification of Phthisis was adopted in this Borough
in November, 1902.
The notifications for the year 1904 were 323, and for 1903 207.
During the whole time this voluntary notification of Phthisis has been in
vogue everything in connection with it has worked smoothly. No complaints
have been received from either the patient, or the friends, or the
medical man in attendance of undue interference on the part of the officers
engaged in this work. The weekly disinfection of the rooms and the
periodic steaming of the bedding have been continued as in former years.
With the experience gained by this voluntary notification one is forced to
admit that, although beneficial, it falls far short of what is required in
order to accurately estimate the amount of the disease in the district for
the application of a remedy. This can only be obtained by adding it to
the list of notifiable diseases. The public, if not quite ready for this at
the present time, are fast approaching to the condition of mind of thinking
this compulsory notification as necessary.
All the steps taken in the ordinary official management of the cases
have been continued as usual in the year under consideration.