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Disinfection was carried out by the Sanitary Authority in connection with
218 rooms at 160 premises and the usual steps were taken as regards textile articles
exposed to infection therein, some 1,723 articles including 147 beds, 124 mattresses,
212 pillows and 76 bolsters being disinfected by the sanitary authority.
According to the reports received from the Insurance Committee for the County
of London, some 79 insured persons from Shoreditch, 58 males and 21 females,
were sent to sanatoria or hospitals and discharged therefrom during the year. The
periods spent by the patients in the institutions varied from a few.days to over
seven months, the usual length of time being from two to three months. With
regard to the males 34 seem to have more or less improved, and 15 do not appear
to have derived any benefit. In 9 instances no information was obtained. As
regards the females 14 were improved, and 6 seemed much the same when they
returned as they were before admission. In one instance no information was
obtained, and 1 case does not seem to have been phthisis. The males sent to
Sanatoria mostly went to Downs, the females to Winchmore Hill.
The accommodation for consumptives at the Shoreditch Infirmary was largely
used during the year, mainly by advanced cases. About 44 per cent, of the
deaths from phthisis in the Borough occurred at this institution. Upwards of
60 per cent, of the persons belonging to Shoreditch who perished from consumption
died in public institutions within or without the Borough.
Particulars as to the work of the tuberculosis dispensary at the Royal
Hospital for Diseases of the Chest in the City Road are contained in the Report
of the tuberculosis officer, which is appended (page 84). Owing to illness,
Dr. Lytton Maitland was absent during the latter part of the year. His place
was ably filled by Dr. A. J. McFarland, who rendered valuable services during
his absence. Much useful work was accomplished, and marked progress was
made during the year. Some 588 new cases attended the dispensary as compared
with 417 in 1913, whilst the attendances numbered 3,806 as compared
with 2,948 for last year. The home visits numbered 2,720 or more than double
that of 1913. These visits are made by the tuberculosis officer and the dispensary
nurse with a view to ascertaining the hygienic conditions of the homes
and their surroundings, for the discovery of contact cases, and for advice and
instruction as to the precautionary measures to be taken for the prevention of
the disease. Insanitary conditions in the homes of the patients are reported to
the Health Department to be dealt with.
OPHTHALMIA NEONATORUM.
Some 38 certificates were received relating to 25 cases. Under the Public
Health (Ophthalmia Neonatorum) Regulations, 1914, which came into operation
on April 1st, it is now the duty of certified midwives to notify cases of ophthalmia
neonatorum. Nine of the certificates were signed by midwives. The cases
notified in previous years were 32 in 1913, 17 in 1912, and 32 in 1911. With the
exception of 4 in the Shoreditch Infirmary, the cases were inquired into by the