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18
Borough of Lewisham.
In an estimated population of 156,627 in the year 1908 there were 135 deaths from phthisis.
Voluntary notification has been in force in the Borough since the year 1906; following are
the figures year by year, together with those of the deaths for the same years.
Year.
Cases notified.
Deaths from phthisis.
1902
—
143
1903
—
114
1904
—
126
1905
—
123
1906
76 (7 months)
122
1907
56
141
1908
57
135
A visit is paid by one of the women sanitary inspectors to the patient's home, unless the request
is made that none is desired. The house and premises are inspected, and a card is left with general
instructions for the prevention of consumption, and for the regimen of the patient. Dr. Wellesley
Harris, the medical officer of health, is unable to visit the cases personally. They are kept under
observation by the sanitary staff visiting from time to time. There is no systematic examination
of contacts. Inquiries are made to ascertain if other members of the family are ailing, and such persons
are recommended to apply for advice to the district medical officer, or to a private practitioner.
During the year 1908, 224 visits were paid by women sanitary inspectors re phthisis homes and deaths.
Disinfection is carried out at death or on the removal of the patient, or at such other times as may be
thought necessary. The Borough Council retains no sanatorium beds. There is a local health society,
but it does not deal with cases of tuberculosis. Arrangements are made by the Council to have sputum
bacteriologically examined for medical practitioners free of charge. Sputum flasks are not distributed
to patients.
Borough of Paddington.
There were 155 deaths from phthisis during the year 1908, the estimated population being
150,923. Voluntary notification has never been in force, the system being considered by Dr. Reginald
Dudfield, the medical officer of health, to be illusory. Nevertheless information of cases of the disease
has always been welcomed and observation has been kept on those of which the sanitary authority has
had knowledge.
The results are shown in the following table, which is slightly modified from that given in
Dr. Dudfield's annual report for the year 1908.
Total
cases
reported.
†Deaths
from
phthisis.
Died during
Reported
recovered.
1st diagnosis
not
confirmed.
Lost sight
of, removed,
etc.
Living
at end
1908.
1903
1904
1905
1906
1907
1908
1902
-
155
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1903
4
155
2
—
2
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1904
20
176
-
5
1
1
1
1
-
-
9
2
1905
18
142
—
—
10
3
1
—
-
—
3
1
1906
57
167
—
—
—
17
5
7
-
2
13
13
1907
84
163
—
—
—
—
14
12
-
5
19
34
1908
173
155
—
—
—1
—
—
25
2
27*
6
113
* 26 suspected to be consumptive; 1 suffering from tuberculous disease (not pulmonary),
† Registrar-General's returns.
Prior to the present year, at the beginning of which the Paddington Tuberculosis Dispensary
was started, the sanitary authority has been active in following up cases, by means of special
inquiries by women inspectors. Advice was given as to precautions to be observed, and as
to the best method of living; co-operation with medical practitioners was sought and efforts made
to ascertain if sanatorium treatment was desired. Various charitable societies were approached on
behalf of patients and patients were sent to the country or sanatorium through their help. At the
present time the work of the sanitary authority is confined to the notified Poor Law cases; administration
of all other cases is left to the staff of the Paddington Tuberculosis Dispensary, of which an
account is given in the body of this report. See page 9.
Borough of Poplar.
There were 234 deaths from phthisis during the year 1908, the population being estimated at
171,516. These were the only cases which came to the notice of the public health department,
there having been no system of voluntary notification in the Borough.
On the receipt of a notification under the Public Health (Tuberculosis) Regulations, 1908,
a sanitary inspection is made of the premises, and a copy of a card, which contains general instructions