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The deaths attributed to influenza in the Metropolis numbered 1,231, as
compared with 1,334 in 1908, 967 in 1907, 895 in 1906, 664 in 1905, 707 in
1904, 644 in 1903, 1,036 in 1902, 664 in 1901, and 1,950 in 1900. March and
April were the months when the deaths were most numerous, and August when
they were least so.
TUBERCULOSIS.
Tuberculosis (Appendix Table V., Nos. 29 to 34 inclusive) was given as the
cause of 277 deaths, as compared with 311 in 1908, 327 in 1907, 347 in 1906,
321 in 1905, 365 in 1904, 376 in 1903, 295 in 1902, 363 in 1901, and 343 in
1900. The number was, therefore, considerably below the average for recent
years. Deaths from tuberculosis in Shoreditch amounted to 12.6 per cent. of the
total number from all causes during the year as compared with 15.5 per cent.
in 1908, 14 in 1907 and 15 in 1906. The death-rate was 2.4 per 1,000 population,
as compared with 2.7 in 1908, 2.8 in 1907, 3.0 in 1906, 2.7 in 1905, and
3.5 in 1904. The rate was highest in Whitmore and Kingsland Wards, where
it amounted to 2.9, and lowest in Haggerston Ward, where it was 1.7 per 1,000
population.
Tuberculosis of the lungs, or phthisis, or consumption as it is commonly
named, was the cause of 194 deaths, as compared with 224 in 1908, 232 in 1907,
and 233 in 1906. Most of the deaths from consumption were of persons in the
wage-earning period of life ; 120 were of males, and 74 of females. The deathrate
from consumption was 1.7 per 1,000 inhabitants being highest in Whitmore
Ward, where it was 2.2 and lowest in Haggerston, where it was 1.1 per 1,000
population.
The deaths from tuberculosis in the Metropolis numbered 8,370 giving
a death rate of 1.7 per 1,000 inhabitants. Of these some 6,337 were attributed
to consumption, the death-rate being 1.3 per 1,000 inhabitants. A conparison
between the figures for Shoreditch, and those for the Metropolis
indicates a markedly heavier mortality in Shoreditch than in London as a whole
An important step has been taken by the local Goverment Board for affording
facilities to extend administrative action for the prevention of tuberculosis by
issuing regulations with this object. These regulations, known as the Public
Health (Tuberculosis) Regulations, 1908, came into operation on January 1st,
1909. They apply, and have effect throughout England and Wales.
Medical officers of poor law institutions and district medical officers are
required within 48 hours of recognition of pulmonary tuberculosis (consumption)
in poor persons upon whom they may be in attendance as medical officers
of the poor law guardians to notify The medical officers of health of the areas
in which the residences of the poor persons are situate. Superintending officers
of poor law institutions are required to notify the medical officers of health of
the districts in which are situate the intended places of destination of consumptive
persons leaving the institutions and relieving officers have to notify medical
officers of health of changes in the addresses of consumptive persons.