View report page

50
These rates are calculated per 100,000 inhabitants, and corrected by
the last census. They show a considerable diminution. The pulmonary
rate for 1911 was 120, the average of the preceding 5 years being 181.
The London rate for 1911 was 135 ; the rate in the previous year was
114, and the five-yearly average 140.
Of the 191 persons who died, 124 had been notified during life, 11
others would have been notified had they had any definite address, and
7 deaths occurred in asylums, the authorities of which are apparently
not required to notify unless the asylum is a poor law institution.
There remain 49 deaths of persons whose illness did not come to the
knowledge of the Public Health Department.
Sixty-five of the deaths occurred at home, 24 in hospitals, 95 in
infirmaries, and 7 in asylums.
Summary of Methods.
The following is a summary of the means which have been adopted
in Westminster for the prevention of consumption:—
(1) Notification of all persons suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis.
(2) A Central Index at the Health Office—with filed records and
current reports of every notified phthisical case in the City (including
deaths). The information thus filed is confidential, and is used solely for
the information of the Medical Officer of Health, hospitals, medical men
and health-workers who require special knowledge re environment and
health of particular families who are under their charge.
(3) Visiting of patients, at their homes by the Phthisis Visitor (Miss
Sanders) and by the Voluntary Health Visitors—who give instruction
as to measures of personal hygiene and precautions against infection, &c
and deal with the " after care " of patients who have been in sanatoria;
the Hon. Secretary arranging, where required, for better food, sanatorium
treatment, clothing, employment, &c., through various charitable and
other bodies.
(4) Examination of suspected and " contact" cases in the families
of patients attending
Brompton Hospital for Consumption.
Mount Vernon Hospital for Consumption.
Margaret Street Hospital for Consumption.
Golden Square Throat Hospital.
Charing Cross Hospital.
St. George's Hospital.
Westminster Hospital.
School Medical Examination.
(5) Provision of means for obtaining Bacteriological examination of
sputum, &c,