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14
TUBERCULOSIS.
Tuberculosis (Appendix, Table V, Nos. 29 to 34 inclusive) was given as the
cause of 161 deaths, as compared with 182 in 1922, 172 in 1921, 166 in 1920, 209
in 1919, 255 in 1918, 302 in 1917, 302 in 1916 and 328 in 1915. The deaths are
the smallest number so far recorded for the Borough, but they accounted for nearly
12 per cent. of the total mortality during the year. They include 32 of persons
who were not certified under the tuberculosis regulations in Shoreditch. They were
at the rate of 1.5 per 1,000 inhabitants, the rate being highest in Haggeston, and
lowest in Kingsland, 2.08 and 0.95 respectively.
The deaths from tuberculosis of the lungs numbered 139, nine less than in 1922.
The majority of the deaths were of persons aged from 25 to 65 years. The deaths
of males numbered 75 as compared with 64 for females. The deaths from pulmonary
tuberculosis were at the rate of 1.3 per 1,000 population. The rate was highest
in Haggerston, and lowest in Kingsland, being 1.72 and 0.66 respectively.
The deaths from tuberculosis in the Metropolis numbered 5,034, the death-rate
being 1.1 per 1,000, and of these 4,237 were attributed to tuberculosis of the respiratory
system, giving a death-rate of 0.9 per 1,000 population.
A summary of the notifications received under the tuberculosis regulations
is contained in Table VIII and the distribution of the cases according to age periods
and localities is shown in Table II (Appendix). There were 259 cases of tuberculosis
certified, being at the rate of 2.4 per 1,000 population as compared with 2.7 in 1922,
2.5 in 1921, and 3.0 per 1,000 in 1920. In proportion to the population the cases
certified were most numerous in Hoxton, and least in Kingsland, being 3.6 per 1,000
in the former as compared with 1.0 in the latter Ward. The cases certified as
pulmonary tuberculosis numbered 228, and were at the rate of 2.1 per 1,000 population
as compared with 2.1 in 1922, 2.1 in 1921, and 2.8 in 1920. The notifications of
pulmonary tuberculosis were most numerous in Hoxton and least in Kingsland Ward,
being 3. per 1,000 in the former as compared with 0. in the latter. Dr. McFarland's
report on the work of the Tuberculosis Dispensary for 1923 is appended (pp. 54-56).
The figures indicate much valuable work. The report of the Hon. Secretary,
Miss Wragge, upon the useful work of the Tuberculosis Care Committee shows that
the Committee met on 18 occasions and dealt with 222 cases. Of these, 184 were
sent by the London County Council for institutional treatment and others were
helped by various agencies to obtain extra nourishment and clothing, admission to
voluntary homes, insurance benefit, work, and in other ways. During the year
some 48 of the cases under the observation of the Committee terminated fatally.
The removals to hospitals, sanatoria, and other institutions were more numerous
than the cases notified during the year (Table II, p. 36). They included cases certified
in previous years. Of the deaths from consumption belonging to Shoreditch,
approximately 55 per cent.occurred in public institutions, 32 per cent, taking place
in St. Leonard's Hospital.