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15
Borough of Hackney.
During the year 1908, in which the estimated population was 235,253, there were 292 deaths
from phthisis.
Voluntary notification has been in force since the year 1906, and the number of cases
so notified, compared with the yearly number of deaths, is as follows:
Year.
Cases notified.
Deaths from -phthisis.
1902
—
323
1903
—
283
1904
—
314
1905
—
263
1906
44 (6 months)
300
1907
157
272
1908
102
292
On the receipt of notification of a case a sanitary inspection is made of the patient's home, and
inquiry is made into his circumstances; a leaflet of advice is left. Disinfection is offered on the
removal or death of the patient. Dr. King Warry, the medical officer of health, is prevented by pressure
of other work from personally visiting the patients; and it is not practicable for the staff to pay repeated
visits to keep the patient or house under observation. No examination of contacts is made, and no
measures are at present available for ameliorating the condition of individual patients. It is hoped that
it may be possible in the future to hand over cases to a newly formed voluntary association. The Council
does not retain any sanatorium beds. Sputum flasks are not distributed by the Council. Arrangements
are in force whereby medical practitioners can have specimens of sputum examined, free of charge.
Borough of Hammersmith.
In an estimated population of 124,012, there were 159 deaths from phthisis during the year
1908.
Voluntary notification has been in force since the year 1902, and the following figures show
the cases so notified, and the deaths since that year.
Year
Cases notified.
Deaths from phthisis.
1902
127 (9 months)
166
1903
143
170
1904
143
161
1905
109
138
1906
105
151
1907
109
146
1908
118
159
On receipt of a notification a visit is paid by a sanitary inspector, the premises are inspected and
a report is made thereon; an offer of disinfection is also made, but in very few cases is it accepted. In
every case general printed instructions as to the prevention of consumption are left at the premises.
It is not found possible for the sanitary inspector to pay more than one visit or to keep the premises
under observation. There is no medical inspection of contacts for the purpose of discovering secondary
cases. Dr. Collier, the medical officer of health, finds it impossible to visit cases himself. No sanatorium
beds are retained by the Borough Council, and there is no Health Society or other institution to which
the sanitary authority refers cases. Sputum flasks are not distributed by the Council. The examination
of specimens of sputum for medical practitioners is not undertaken.
Borough of Hampstead.
In an estimated population of 92,654, there were during the year 1908, 73 deaths due to phthisis.
Voluntary notification has been in force since the year 1903, and the following are the figures
since, then the deaths from phthisis being set alongside for comparison:—
Year.
Cases notified.
Deaths from phthisis.
1902
51
72
1903
34
63
1904
39
72
1905
27
73
1906
35
60
1907
55
64
1908
30
73
Dr. G. F. McCleary, the medical officer of health of Hampstead, gives the following analysis
of the notifiers during the year 1908:—
Poor Law medical officers 12
Brompton Hospital, out-patients' department 1
Mount Vernon Hospital, out-patients' department 2
Kilburn General Dispensary 3
Private practitioners 12