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In London the deaths from influenza numbered 664, as compared with 707 in .1904,
644 in 1903, 1036 in 1902, 664 in 1901, and 1950 in 1900. The deaths in the metropolis
during 1905 were most numerous during the first three months of the year, and
least so during July, August and September.
TUBERCULOSIS.
Tuberculoslis (see Appendix, Table VI., Nos. 29 to 34 inclusive) resulted in 321
deaths, as compared with 365 in 1904, 376 in 1903, 295 in 1902, 363 in 1901, and
343 in 1900. The deaths from tuberculosis amounted to 14 per cent. of the total
number of deaths for the year. The death-rate due to tuberculosis for 1905 was 2.8
per 1,000 inhabitants, as compared with 3.1 for 1904. Phthisis, or consumption, which
is the form of the disease affecting the lungs, alone accounted for 215 deaths, yielding
a death-rate of 1.8 per 1,000 inhabitants. Of the persons who died from consumption
131 were males and 84 females, over two hundred of them were in the wage earning
period of life, and many of them breadwinners.
Upwards of 6,600 persons died from consumption in the metropolis, yielding a
death-rate of 1.4 per 1,000 population. The figures show that the mortality from
phthisis in Shoreditch during 1905 was nearly 30 per cent. higher than that of London
as a whole.
As is well known, consumption is a contageous malady due to the growth in the
lungs of a minute organism—the tubercle bacillus—which at times swarms in the
material coughed up by persons suffering from the disease. The conditions which
favour the propagation of the disease and the manner in which infection is spread
are now generally recognised amongst those who have made a study of it. It has been
pointed out by high authorities upon the subject that the disease is to a very large
extent one which can be prevented. There is not the least doubt that such is really
the case, and that if the necessary action were taken by the public authorities, an
immense amount of good would result and the suffering poor amongst whom the
disease commits its greatest ravages would be afflicted with far less hardship and distress.
In Shoreditch the voluntary notification of the disease has not yet been adopted
so that the death returns are at present the only indications given as to prevalence
of the disease in the Borough. In all cases where information is received as to deaths
in dwelling houses from consumption, the friends of the deceased are communicated
with, and disinfection is advised. It is to be noted that the larger proportion of
deaths from consumption takes place in public institutions, where there are responsible
medical officers able to take the necessary precautions. In some cases, however,
the disinfection after phthisis cases has been undertaken by the Borough at the request
of the hospital authorities.
During the year 1905 disinfection was carried out by the officers of the Borough
Council in connection with 50 dwelling houses in whlich persons suffering from consumption
had resided before death. In 30 other houses more or less efficient precautions
were taken by the residents themselves rather than permit the officers of the