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enquiring into ail deaths from pneumonia, and of carrying out disinfection in houses
in which this disease had occurred was commenced, and has been continued. In the
following year the hope was expressed that eventually this most serious and treacherous
disease would be made notifiable, and in 1919 the Ministry of Health by order made
notification of all cases of primary pneumonia and influenzal pneumonia, compulsory
as from 1st March in that year.
During the period March to December, the number of notifications received was
121. Of the patients notified, 41 were aged 25-45, the other age periods contributing
smaller numbers. Further particulars with regard to distribution of the cases, both in
relation to age and residence will be found in the table on page 87. Visits were
paid to each of the notified cases, and any assistance possible in the way of removal
to hospital or nursing (under the Council's arrangement with the Paddington and
Marylebone Nursing Association) offered. After recovery, or if death unfortunately
occurred, as soon as convenient thereafter, disinfection was carried out.
It is, of course, too early as yet to form any opinion as to what the effect of the
application of notification to this disease may be. That it may lead to a reduction in
the number of cases, which have shown a definite tendency to increase for some years,
is sincerely to be hoped.
CANCER OR MALIGNANT DISEASE.
The number of deaths due to cancer was 165 and the death rate 1.68 per 1000
of the population. In 1918 the figures were lower, the total being 143 and the death
rate 1.4 per 1,000 of the population.
Information with regard to the situation of the disease and the age at which
death occurred is given in the following tables:—