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for the prevention of consumption, is handed to the patient; cartoons of instructions are also
distributed. Disinfection with electrolytic fluid is also offered and encouraged. It is not found possible
to keep patients under continuous observation, or to deal with them personally as regards their
individual amelioration. Dr. Alexander, the medical officer of health, has no opportunity,
owing to pressure of administrative and other work, of visiting them personally. The Council
retains no beds in sanatoria, nor are cases of phthisis referred to voluntary or charitable associations.
There is no examination of contacts to ascertain the presence of secondary cases.
The bacteriological examination of sputum is not undertaken by the Borough Council for medical
practitioners; sputum flasks and spittoons are lent to patients.
Year.
Cases notified.
Deaths from phthisis.
1902
—
293
1903
—
294
1904
—
295
1905
—
260
1906
—
263
1907
—
227
1908
—
234
Borough of St. Marylebone.
In an estimated population of 126,867, the number of deaths registered from phthisis was
149 during the year 1908.
Voluntary notification has been in force since the year 1906, the figures showing as follow:—
Year.
Cases notified.
Deaths from phthisis.
1902
—
258
1903
—
240
1904
—
218
1905
—
188
1906
260 (6 months)
200
1907
291
188
1908
172
149
The medical officer of health, Dr. Porter, has analysed the notifiers' certificates for the year 1908
as follows:—
Poor Law institutions
116
District medical officers
38
St. Mary's Hospital
4
Other institutions
22
Private practitioners
40
220
These 220 notifications relate to 172 actual cases.
On receipt of a notification a woman sanitary inspector visits the house, makes a sanitary
inspection and a report thereon, and leaves a card of general precautions to be taken. She
endeavours to keep the patient under observation herself, and the case is also handed on to the St.
Marylebone Health Society by the workers of which it is also kept under observation. Further remedial
measures and material help are given, according to circumstances, through the agency of this Society.
The Borough Council does not itself retain sanatorium beds. The medical officer of health finds that his
administrative and other work prevent him from personally visiting the patients. No special measures
are taken to ascertain the presence of secondary cases among the contacts. Disinfection is almost
invariably carried out on the death or removal of a patient. The bacteriological examination of sputum
is arranged for medical practitioners by the Borough Council free of charge. Sputum flasks are distributed
to patients by the Health Society.
Borough of St. Pancras.
In the year 1908. the deaths from phthisis were 363 the population being estimated at, 237,075.
Voluntary notification has been in force since the year 1906 and the cases notified and deaths show
year by year as follow:
Year.
Cases notified.
Deaths from phthisis.
1902
—
450
1903
—
428
1904
—
443
1905
—
357
1906
207 (7 months)
426
1907
355
392
1908
249
363
1814
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