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the disease. These brushes were obtained by the vendors from the factory in the Midlands previously
referred to.
These cases constitute the first known instances of anthrax being traced to infection from shaving
brushes, and, but for the timely discovery of Dr. Elworthy, and the subsequent administrative action
taken, an outbreak of more serious dimensions might have occurred.
(6) W. E., an electrical fitter employed at the War Office, was notified on 28th November, 1015,
as suffering from anthrax. He was removed to the Middlesex Hospital, where, after appropriate treatment,
he recovered. Inquiries were made, but no light could be thrown upon the source of infection.
(7) E. M., aged 29 years, was employed by a firm of hair dealers, and notified at Guy's Hospital
on 8th December, 1915, to be suffering from anthrax. The local lesion was excised, and the patient
recovered.
B.—Administration.
For reasons of economy the administrative section of this report has been altered in arrangement,
and considerably curtailed; the statistical information available has been summarised in a
general table.
Tuberculous milk—L.C.C. (General Powers) Act, 1907, Part IV.
The Council's inspectors obtained 2,765 samples from churns of milk consigned from the country
to the various London railway termini, and these were submitted to the Lister Institute for bacteriological
examination. The milk was sent to London from 35 counties. Of 2,559 completed examinations,
167, or 6.5 per cent., yielded tubercle bacilli, as against 7 9 per cent. in 1914 and 9.9 per cent. in 1913.
In connection with these samples, the Veterinary Inspector visited 168 farms, and examined 6,084 cows.
It was found that 105 cows, i.e., 17 per cent., showed signs of tuberculosis in one or more of its forms,
or were otherwise unhealthy. In the case of each cow suffering from tuberculosis the farmer undertook
to have the animal slaughtered, and meanwhile not again to use the milk.
In consequence of the suspension of the Tuberculosis Order of 1914, owing to the war, the powers
of the Council in respect of the examination of cows in London cowsheds have been exercised under
the Dairies, Cowsheds, and Milkshops Order of 1899, and under Part V. of the L.C.C. (General Powers)
Act, 1904. During the period 27th December, 1914, to 14th February, 1916, there were five inspections
of the cows kept in the 154 London cowsheds. In all, 12,499 examinations were made. In four
instances there was tuberculosis of the udder, and in 244 instances other unhealthy conditions.
One of the cows affected with tuberculosis of the udder was seized and slaughtered under the
L.C.C. (General Powers) Act, 1904; the other three were slaughtered by the owners. In addition to
the animals with unhealthy udders, 33 cows presenting symptoms of pulmonary or general tuberculosis
were slaughtered or disposed of by the owners.
Housing of the Working Classes.
Having regard to circumstances arising out of the war which prevented the Council from proceeding
normally with the execution of the Tabard-street, Southwark, etc., scheme, application was
made to the Local Government Board for permission to deviate from the procedure which it prescribed
when confirming the scheme, and the Board, in due course, issued an order permitting a modification
of the scheme as originally confirmed, by which the Council was enabled forthwith to demolish some
268 buildings in addition to those already destroyed.
Cleansing of Persons Act, 1897, etc.
The practice adopted by the Council in regard to the cleansing of adults from common lodginghouses
has been continued during the year 1915, and from information supplied by the Council's inspectors
it appears that 607 men and 32 women were, by reason of their beds having been found verminous, sent
to have their clothing cleansed.
National Insurance Acts, 1911 and 1913—Treatment of Tuberculosis.
At the end of 1914 the Council had approved a scheme for the treatment of tuberculosis in London,
under which responsibility for insured persons rests with the London Insurance Committee, while
uninsured persons are dealt with, as regards domiciliary and dispensary treatment, under schemes of
metropolitan borough councils approved by the County Council, and, as regards institutional treatment,
by the County Council. Tentative arrangements were included in the scheme for following-up
patients discharged from residential institutions to ensure appropriate after-care. At that time, 13
borough dispensary schemes were in full or partial operation. Some of the other boroughs were provided
with voluntary dispensaries. Before the close of 1915 the number of boroughs with approved
or conditionally approved schemes had increased to 25. In two of the four boroughs which had not
submitted schemes voluntary dispensaries had been provided by the Central Fund.
With regard to institutional treatment, only a small beginning had been made in 1914, but
sufficient beds were obtained to meet the demands then made upon the Council. The numbers treated,
in 1914, were 8 men, 33 women, and 87 children, of whom 6 men, 25 women, and 69 children remained
under treatment at the end of the year.
Owing to the continuance of the war the Council decided to limit its expenditure on tuberculosis
to the sum required to fulfil the obligations already entered into, and to take only such beds as were
necessary to render effective the work of the dispensaries. Two hundred hospital and sanatorium