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months. Of the males 56 seem to have more or less improved in health and 9 of
the females were benefited. In 5 instances there appears to have been doubt as to
whether the patients were actually suffering from phthisis. The Downs for males
and Winchmore Hili for females were the Sanatoria to which most of patients went.
Four of the patients above referred to died during the year. The deaths of insured
patients during the year altogether totalled 58 of which 42 were of males and 16
females.
In accordance with arrangements made by the London County Council for the
provision of residential accommodation for uninsured persons suffering from tuberculosis,
some 18 persons belonging to Shoreditch, men, women and children, received
the benefit of sanatorium or hospitial in-patient treatment. Table II
(appendix) shows that over 62 per cent, of the cases of consumption were removed
to hospitals, sanatoria or the infirmary. Something closely approaching 59 per
cent, of the deaths from consumption belonging to Shoreditch occurred in public
institutions within or without the Borough 12 per cent, taking place in the
Shoreditch Infirmary.
A report on the work of the Tuberculosis Dispensary at the Royal Hospital
for Diseases of the Chest in the City Road is appended (page 68). The figures
given by Dr. A. J. McFarland, the tuberculosis officer, indicate a very marked increase
in the work at the Dispensary, and it will be noted that the London Insurance
Committee are making greater use of the Dispensary than formerly, for the
benefit of insured persons.
OPHTHALMIA NEONATORUM.
Some 45 certificates were received relating to 30 cases. Twenty of the
certificates were signed by midwives. With the exception of 6 which occurred
in the Shoreditch Infirmary, the cases were inquired into by the Health Visitors
and are referred to in their reports (Appendix, pp.. 74, 78). Some 68 visits were
paid in connection with them. Of the cases visited by the Health Visitors, 25
were mild or of moderate severity, 2 left the Borough and were lost sight of,
and 3 were severe cases of which 1 died in hospital, 1 recovered with the loss of
sight in one eye and in 1 vision was impaired. This last infant also died. The cases
certified were at the rate of 9.7 per 1,000 births. The cases certified in the
Metropolis numbered 788, being at the rate of 7.5 per 1,000 births.
CEREBRO-SPINAL MENINGITIS.
The cases certified numbered 40, the majority occurring during the second
and third quarters of the year. In 32 of the cases the meningococcus or the
micro-organism of the disease was reported to have been found. Of these cases 24
terminated fatally and 23 of the deaths were registered during the year. The
mortality was therefore 66.6 per cent. With respect to the 8 cases in which the