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of Lambeth during 1900 is 56.7% lower than the decennial
average. Such a satisfactory result is, in great part, to be
attributed to the extra precautions now taken, and to the
trouble (expense, etc.) expended in educating the people
by means of circulars and posters, as to the serious aftereffects
of Measles when not properly attended to. Even
better results are to be expected when Measles is placed
amongst the dangerous infectious diseases, so that the
prevention sections of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891,
may apply to this disease as they do in conection with
Scarlet Fever, Smallpox, Diphtheria, etc.
There is a marked difference in the number of consumption,
infected houses disinfected during 1900 and 1899, as compared
with previous years, viz., 524 and 474 respectively
as compared with 4, 11 and 2 during 1898, 1897 and 1896,
Much good is to be expected from these extra precautions
that are now taken in connection with Tuberculosis, which
is more and more, year by year, acknowledged to be an
infectious disease, requiring special preventive measures.
The Equifex machine (at Wanless Road) continues to
give satisfaction, whilst the old Neville's machine (at the
Wharf) has not broken down during the year, though it is
hardly satisfactory from the point of view of modern
requirements as to efficient disinfection. It is to be hoped
that another Equifex machine in place of the old Neville's
machine will shortly be purchased for use in the new
Borough. A second (or duplicate) machine for disinfecting
is required in the events of either a break-down at any time
in one of them, or of extra pressure of work arising from
epidemics.
The staff, both collectively and individually, has given
satisfaction during the past year as in former years.
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