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96. Bacteriological diagnosis.—Sputum from 144 cases of
suspected phthisis was examined by the Lister Institute, and
the tubercle bacillus was found in 44 cases. In 1902,
36 samples were examined and 12 positive results obtained.
97. Disinfection was performed in 108 houses, 80 being after
death, and 28 after removal to Infirmary or Hospital, or during
occupation. In the three preceding years, 18, 86, and 89
premises respectively were disinfected. In addition to disinfection,
special wet cleansing was recommended in all cases,
and whenever the rooms affected were found dirty, and in some
other cases the walls were stripped and cleansed.
98. Sanatorium treatment. At the instance of your Council,
a conference was held between delegates of the Councils of the
three Boroughs of Greenwich, Lewisham, and Woolwich, as
to the advisibility of establishing a joint Sanatorium for the
treatment of phthisis. The conference decided that this was
not advisable, but as an alternative recommended that the
Asylums Board should provide for Sanatorium treatment of
consumption.
99. Your Council therefore decided as an experiment to
maintain two beds at the Peppard Common Sanatorium. This
is a small sanatorium of 12 beds in Oxfordshire, six miles from
Reading; it is admirably situated in an open and elevated
situation, 375 ft. above sea level; the soil is gravel over chalk.
The two beds are both intended for men, who form the
majority of the cases, as well as being the wage earners ; since
however, the existing accommodation did not permit of men
being received till after Xmas, two women were admitted in