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13
PHTHISIS AND TUBERCULOSIS.
Forty-two deaths were registered from this disease.
It is evident that much work lies ready for Medical Officers
of Health and others in connection with the spread of tubercle.
If we can persuade people to look upon Tuberculosis as an
infectious disease much will be done to prevent its spread, and a
great advance in preventive medicine will be made.
The Germans look upon perfect cleanliness in the treatment
of phthisical patients as absolutely essential.
Pocket handkerchiefs and bed linen are most carefully
sterilized by means of steam or germicidal agents. Patients are
strongly enjoined not to expectorate, except into receptacles
specially made for the purpose, and in which the sputa can be
easily disinfected. The results of these precautions are not yet
manifest, but it may be confidently anticipated that within a short
time a considerable diminution in the number of phthisical
patients in Germany will be recorded. As a single example we
may take the Grand Duchy of Baden, where there was a diminution
of deaths from Tuberculosis, from 3-08 per 1,000 inhabitants in
1882 to 2'8o per 1,000 in 1887, or no less than "28 per 1,000.
If similar results were obtained in the British Isles, and the patients
were not carried off by other diseases, the saving to our community
would be nearly 10,000 lives per annum. I notice that a leaflet
has been sent by the Glasgow Health Committee to every ratepayer
in that city, explaining in the clearest manner the infectious
nature of the disease, and giving brief but excellent directions for
the avoidance of infection.
WATER SUPPLY.
The work of lowering the mains to 2 feet 6 inches below
the surface is still being carried on, and will shortly be completed.
This will, I trust, prevent the great inconvenience to
householders that has occurred on former occasions owing to
the frost.