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admitted to the Shoreditch Infirmary on October 16th, delirium was noticed on the
17th, a rash appeared on the 18th, he became unconscious and had a series of fits
of convulsions, and died on October 19th. His temperature whilst under observation
in the infirmary was continuously between 104 and 105 degrees Fahrenheit.
The eruption in appearance resembled that of measles. It was distributed generally
over the trunk and limbs, and was also to be seen on the face. It was a dusky
purplish red in colour, disappearing mostly on pressure, but there were some spots
which persisted and which were petechial in character. The case was seen by several
medical men, for it was felt that there was a considerable element of doubt about
it. One physician of great experience in typhus fever, who saw the body shortly
after death was of opinion that the case had not been one of that disease. He
suggested that the eruption was to be associated with the convulsions which were
such as are sometimes met with in persons with disease of the kidneys. At the
post mortem examination it was found that some of the eruption was distinctly
petechial in character and persisted after death. There was marked evidence of
chronic kidney disease, otherwise nothing of importance was noted.
All necessary precautions were taken as to disinfection, and the patient's wife
and two children were kept under observation at the shelter in Reeves Place until
the period of incubation of the disease had elapsed.
No history was obtained to throw light upon the source of infection. Two
cases had been previously certified in the Metropolis during the year as being cases
of typhus fever, one on June 8th in Finsbury, and the other on October 5th in
Bermondsey.
TUBERCULOSIS.
Tuberculosis (Appendix, Table V., Nos. 29 to 34 inclusive) was given as the
cause of 290 deaths as compared with 266 in 1911, 241 in 1910, 277 in 1909, 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, although higher than those for the 3
years previously, was below the average for the past 12 years. The deaths
from tuberculosis amounted to 14.3 per cent. of the total number of deaths from
all causes, as compared with 11.9 in 1911, 12.6 in 1910, 12.6 in 1909, 15.5 in 1908,
14 in 1907 and 15 in 1906. The death-rate was 2.6 per 1,000 population, as compared
with 2.4 in 1911, 2.1 in 1910, 2.4 in 1909, 2.7 in 1908, 2.8 in 1907, 3.0 in 1906,
2.7 in 1905, and 3.5 in 1904. Comparing the wards, the rate was highest in Whitmore,
where it was 3.2, and lowest in Haggerston and Acton, where it amounted
to 17 per 1,000 inhabitants.
Tuberculosis of the lungs or phthisis, or consumption as it is commonly named,
caused 217 deaths, as compared with 183 in 1911, 169 in 1910, 194 in 1909, 224 in
1908, 232 in 1907 and 233 in 1906. The majority of the deaths were of persons aged