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58
Shoreditch Destry.
THE PREVENTION OF CONSUMPTION AND OTHER FORMS
OF TUBERCULOSIS.
The Public Health Committee hope that all whom it may concern will read carefully
and observe the instructions herein contained, and also any others given by the
Medical Attendant having the same object in view.
Consumption and the other forms of tuberculosis annually destroy many
thousands of lives in this country. From consumption alone, on an average, upwards
of 8,000 persons perish annually in the Metropolis, and from 200 to 300 persons
belonging to Shoreditch die every year from the same fell disease. Formerly the
mortality was heavier than at present in Shoreditch, and its reduction is, without
doubt, largely attributable to the general sanitary measures adopted in the parish, and
affords gronnds for anticipating a still further reduction, if measures specially directed
against the disease are efficiently carried out. Consumption is an infectious disease
capable of being communicated from person to person. It is, however, a disease
which can be readily controlled, and probably one of the chief reasons why infection
is spread, is that people generally are unaware of the fact that the disease is
infectious, and consequently no steps are taken for its prevention.
Consumption and other forms of tuberculosis are due to a germ. These germs,
which are conveyed principally by the air and food (meat and milk) flourish in damp,
ill-lighted, dirty, ill-ventilated or overcrowded dwellings; when exposed to sun-light
and fresh air, they rapidly become inert and die; they are apt to infect persons who
inherit weakness, or are in a low state of health, or debilitated from any cause, such
as overcrowding, overwork, irregularity of life, intemperance or uncleanliness.
Persons in good health, dwelling and working under sanitary conditions, may expect
freedom from consumption.
Consumption is spread mainly through the medium of the expectoration or the
material coughed up by persons suffering from the disease. In this expectoration the
germs of the disease are found existing in vast numbers. If allowed to dry, minute
portions of the expectoration as dust conveying the germs of the disease may infect
the air. So far as infection of the air is concerned, whilst in a moist condition the
expectoration is practically harmless, and a case of consumption may, to a very great
extent, be rendered harmless by preventing the expectoration becoming dust.
If the precautions set out below are attended to there will be no danger to the
healthy of catching the disease in the ordinary intercourse of the family or social
life.