View report page

43
PHTHISIS AND OTHER TUBERCULOUS DISEASES.
The deaths from phthisis numbered 72, as compared with 60, 45 and 50
during 1912-11-10. The death rate from the disease is therefore 1.08 per
thousand. Of these deaths, 19 occurred among residents of the district in
Edmonton Workhouse. The total deaths from phthisis in the Strand and
Edmonton Workhouses in the district numbered 96, or 15 less than last year.
The other tubercular diseases together accounted for 31 deaths, giving a
death rate of 0.47 per thousand. In this way tuberculosis contributed a total
death rate of 1.55 per thousand, or nearly 13 per cent. of all the deaths; this
compares with 12.0 per cent. the previous year.
The Woman Inspector visits the houses not only where deaths have
occurred, but where cases of phthisis have been notified, and she leaves a card
of printed instructions, after giving such advice as she thinks may be useful.
She paid on this account 495 visits and re-visits during the year, compared
with 348 the year before, and also 98 visits and re-visits to other cases of
tubercle. The disinfection of the room lately occupied by the patient, and of
his clothes and bedding is carried out.
Tuberculous Meat and Milk. See Section VI. of this Report.
Institutional Accommodation. I have received the following
information with reference to this :
(1) Edmonton Workhouse. Medical Officer, Dr. Mort, states that there
is no accommodation here. All cases, on being diagnosed, are transferred to the
Infirmary.
(2) Edmonton Infirmary. Superintendent, Dr. Mort, reports that there
is a total of 128 beds reserved for consumptive patients—a flat of 64 beds for
each sex. He states that cases are graduated as far as possible; that the
very advanced cases are treated in the side wards. In favourable weather
about 10 extra beds are placed on each balcony, for very early cases.
(3) City of Westminster (late Strand) Workhouse. Dr. Bebb,
Medical Officer (visiting) reports that there is no special accommodation
provided; should cases be diagnosed, they are sent to their own Infirmary as
soon as there is a vacancy.
(4) Strand Union Schools. Dr. J. K. Brownlees, Medical Officer
(visiting). Children are received from the Strand, Islington, Wandsworth,
and St. Giles's Guardians. Dr. Brownlees states that there is no special
accommodation provided, but that if any case of phthisis is discovered the
patient is at once sent back to his (or her) own Guardians. This Institution
was closed on July 31st.
I received three voluntary notifications.