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Bacteriological Diagnosis of Consumption. —The number of specimens of
expectoration sent by medical men for bacteriological examination, from cases in
which there was some doubt as to the diagnosis, was 459 as against 294 in 1918. Of
these, 97 were found to contain the bacillus of consumption, while the remainder
were free.
Non-Pulmonary Tuberculosis.—The great bulk of the total notifications—37
as against 40 in 1918—in the case of this form of tuberculosis came from institutions
where the patients were undergoing treatment. Visits were paid to the homes and,
where necessary, advice with regard to the obtaining of treatment was offered.
Particulars as to the parts affected by the disease will be found in the table on
page 64.
Influenza.—The number of deaths from influenza in 1919 was 117 as against
266 in 1918. The bulk of the deaths in each of the years occurred amongst persons
over 25 years of age, the lower age periods contributing a smaller proportion.
During the year the efforts that had been made in 1918 to cope with the outbreak
were continued. Special posters containing advice with regard to prevention, etc.,
were exhibited throughout the Borough, leaflets were widely distributed, special visits
were paid by the Health Visitors and the assistance of the nurses of the Paddington
and Marylebone Nursing Association obtained for cases which appeared to require it.
BACTERIOLOGICAL EXAMINATIONS.
During the year the Council continued to place facilities at the disposal of
medical practitioners for having bacteriological examinations carried out in order to
assist in diagnosis of infectious diseases. This work was done by Dr. Foulerton, of
the University College Hospital, who, in addition, carried out a number of other
examinations for the Council, e.g., of milk samples, referred to elsewhere.

DISINFECTION.
The work done in this connection during 1919 is shown in the following tables.
The methods employed during the greater part of the time were substantially the
same as in previous years, articles suitable for treatment by steam were dealt with in
the Washington Lyons Disinfector, recently installed at the Disinfecting Station, while
for rooms either formalin or sulphur was generally employed.