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88
Report of the Medical Officer of Health.
In 142, out of the total of 158 males who died, the occupation
is definitely stated, and it will be seen that, as in former years,
labourers and clerks head the list. In the case of labourers the
number of deaths was 35, compared with 17 in 1903. Among
females, 115 out of the total of 125 had no occupation, while of the
other 10, four were domestic servants, three were laundresses, two
were waitresses, and one was a mantle maker.
Voluntary Notification of Consumption.
During the year, 118 cases were notified by medical practitioners,
10 from Clapham, two from Putney, 11 from Streatham, eight from
Tooting, and 87 from Wandsworth, compared with a total of 88
in 1903.
Two of the cases were children from one to five years, 13 from
five to 15 years, 15 of persons from 15 to 25, 84 from 25 to 65, and
four from 65 years and upwards.
Of the 118 cases notified, 50 died during the year, 17 removed
out of the Borough, one recovered, two were removed to Convalescent
Homes, and 22 were removed to the Union Infirmary, leaving 26 still
living in the Borough.
During the year, disinfection was carried out in 144 instances,
either after death or after removal of the patient. 34 of the premises
disinfected were in Clapham, eight in Putney, 34 in Streatham, 15 in
Tooting, and 53 in Wandsworth.
The adoption of the system of voluntary notification is, in my
opinion, of great value, and further experience of its working shows
that considerable benefit has accrued from its adoption.
By no means of voluntary notification can all the cases, even
among the poorer classes, be known to the Sanitary Authority, but it
is better to know of 25 per cent. of the cases before death occurs, than
not to be aware of the cases at all.