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25
Brother, sister or relation known to have died of Phthisis in 23
cases.
Wife known to have died of Phthisis in 2 cases.
One patient worked where others were consumptive.
Six patients had been previously nursing consumptive cases.
One case was interesting as inquiry shewed that the infection
may have been due to vermin. A fatal case occurred in a house in
April, 1911, and when the room was disinfected, vermin, which
were very numerous, migrated from this house into the one next
door, where a cripple, who was practically confined to the house
altogether, resided. This unfortunate individual was taken ill with
the disease the following December, and died after a few weeks'
illness.
Occupations of Patients.
Factory, Workshop, Office or Warehouse 37
Outdoor workers 15
School cases 9
Public House 3
Domestic Service 3
Laundry 2
French Polisher 1
Pawnbroker's Shop 1
Cab Driver 1
Gas Works 1
There were 54 rapid, 28 chronic, and 54 mild or recovered
cases.
The condition of the dwellings at the time of first visit after
notification was:—
Satisfactory 87
Very damp 6
Other defects 25
These defects have since been remedied.
Under the provisions of the National Insurance Act patients
were removed to Clare Hall Sanatorium by the Middlesex Insurance
Committee, and many cases await removal.
On receipt of a notification the case is invariably visited within
twenty-four hours. Full inquiries are made with a view to ascertaining
the existence of other cases in the same house or amongst
the relatives and associates of the patient, and also as to the conditions
under which he works and lives; printed instructions are
given as to the precautions necessary to be taken to prevent the
spread of infection; spitting bottles and disinfectants are supplied,