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registered the first five months of the year under consideration. None were registered
during the five months, June to October, and only three during November and
December.
In the great majority the fatal cases of influenza—and the same remark applies in
the cases of measles and whooping cough—were complicated by the onset of
pneumonia and bronchitis.
The deaths from influenza in London during 1903 numbered 644, as compared
with 1,036 in 1902, 664 in 1901, 1,950 in 1900, and 1,817 in 1899. The deaths were
most numerous in January, February and March, and least so ia August September
and October.
TUBERCULOSIS.
Tuberculosis (Appendix Table V. Nos. 29 to 34), was given as the cause of 376
deaths, as against 295 in 1902, 363 in 1901 and 343 in 1900. Of the total number of
deaths in Shoreditch during 1903 no less than one-sixth was attributed to tuberculosis.
The great majority of these deaths were registered as due to phthisis or consumption.
The death-rate from tuberculosis in the Borough was 3.2 per 1,000 inhabitants. The
deaths from consumption numbered 271, of which 171 were of males, and the deathrate
was 2.3 per 1,000, as compared with an average rate of 2.05 for the previous 10
years in the Borough, and a Metropolitan death-rate for 1903 of 1.5 per 1,000 inhabitants.
During the year, disinfection was carried out by the officers of the Borough
Council in connection with 67 houses in which persons suffering from tuberculosis had
resided before death. In some 62 houses more or less efficient measures were taken
by responsible persons resident therein in preference to allowing the Council's officers
to act. In most instances consumption was the form of the disease which required to
be dealt with. In all cases in which information is received as to deaths from consumption
occurring in the Borough in dwelling houses, the friends are communicated
with by letter advising that proper precautions should be taken as to disinfection, and
pointing out that the necessary measures are carried out by the Borough Council free
of charge. Disinfection is not undertaken by the Council's officers in public institutions
which are under the supervision of responsible medical officers. A large proportion
of the deaths from tuberculosis, especially consumption, takes place in public
institutions.
The important question of the provision of places especially constructed and
adapted for the treatment of persons suffering from consumption has been occupying
the attention of Sanitary Authorities in various parts of the Kingdom for some time
past. In the Metropolis Shoreditch and a number of the other local authorities are in
favour of the Metropolitan Asylums Board undertaking the task of providing the
accommodation necessary for the treatment of such cases, and it has been proposed to
the managers that they should establish sanatoria. It would unquestionably be a
great boon to the people of London if proper institutions were provided for this