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year. The death-rate from the disease was 0.51 per 1,000 inhabitants as compared
with 0.35 in 1903, 0.63 in 1902 and 0.49 in 1901. The deaths were most numerous
during the first half of the year, the heaviest mortality being in March, when 16
deaths occurred. There were no deaths from whooping cough during the months of
October and November.
The deaths from whooping cough in the Metropolis during 1903 numbered 1,495
and the death-rate was 0.32 per 1,000 population.
INFLUENZA.
Influenza was given as the cause of 14 deaths as compared with 19 in 1903, 14
in 1902, 16 in 1901, 52 in 1900, 35 in 1899, 22 in 1898 and 16 in 1897. The figures
for previous years are contained in the Report for 1901.
No deaths from influenza in Shoreditch were registered during the months of
February, June, July, August and November. The deaths fromi influenza in London
during 1904 numbered 709, as compared with 644 in 1903, 1,036 in 1902, 664 in 1901,
and 1,950 in 1900. The deaths were most numerous during the last three months of the
year and least so during June, July, August and September.
TUBERCULOSIS.
Tuberculosis (Appendix Table V. Nos. 29 to 34) resulted in 365 deaths as compared
with 376 in 1903, 295 in 1902, 363 in 1901 and 343 in 1900. Of the total
number of deaths during the year in Shoreditch between 15 and 16 per cent. resulted
from tuberculosis. The great majority of the deaths from tuberculosis resulted from
phthisis or consumption, which is, as is well-known, the form of the disease affecting the
lungs. The death-rate from tuberculosis in Shoreditch amounted to 3.1 per 1,000
inhabitants. The deaths from consumption numbered 247 of which 153 were of
males and 94 of females, and the death-rate due to this form of the disease was 2.12
per 1,000 as compared with an average rate of 2.07 for the previous ten years. The
death-rate due to consumption during 1904 for the Metropolis was 1.63 per 1,000
inhabitants. The above figures show what a fruitful cause of death tuberculosis is
in Shoreditch. The common form of the disease—consumption—is so well known that
it is unneccessary to dwell upon its characteristics. Tuberculosis is spread by infection
and is, unfortunately, very common in densely populated working class communities.
During recent years, since the infectious character of consumption has become
generally recognised various measures have been adopted with a view to coping with it,
such as the establishment of sanatoria, and the distribution of literature containing instructions
as to preventing infection and as to disinfection. In various parts of the country
Sanitary Authorities have adopted systems of voluntary notification of the disease, and
similar systems have been established in more than half of the London Boroughs.