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33
For some time past I have had disinfection of all premises,
bedding, clothing', &c., carried out in all cases of deaths from
phthisis, and other cases on request.
I have instructed my inspectors to keep a very watchful eye
for tuberculous meat. All our slaughter-houses and butchers'
shops are inspected at least twice a week, and I have made frequent
personal inspections.
I am of opinion that more cases of tuberculous disease in
human beings is due to the consumption of tuberculous meat than
is generally suspected. Thus, for instance, why should not the
numerous cases of tuberculous glands in the throat and neck be due
to eating tuberculous meat? These glands are usually the first to
be affected in the pig, and the pig, I take it, is affected through
his food in almost all cases.
ZYMOTIC DEATH-RATE.
The deaths from the seven zymotic diseases were as follows
Measles, 23; scarlet fever, 15; whooping cough, 12; diphtheria,
18; fever, 4; diarrhoea and zymotic enteritis, 37.
Our zymotic death-rate is therefore .9, that of England and
Wales being 1.29, and of the 76 great towns 1.59.
Last year our zymotic death-rate was 1.7, and the year
previously 2.3.