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102. The Public House as a source of infection.—In my last
Annual Report, I gave reasons for regarding the public house
as an important, if not the principal, source of infection. The
experience of last year tends to confirm this conclusion. There
was an excess of phthisis among the intemperate, those employed
in the liquor trade, casual labourers, and those specially
exposed to the temptation to drink. During the past three
years there have been 11 deaths from phthisis among persons
employed in the liquor trade, giving a mortality of 15.2 per
1,000 persons so employed, which is ten times the mortality of
the Borough, and five times the mortality of the population
between the ages of 20 and 55.
103. Chronic Tuberculosis of Children.—Information was
obtained through the Invalid Children's Association as to 26
children suffering from chronic tuberculosis, chiefly of the hip,
knee and spine. Enquiries were made as to the source of
infection of these cases, with the following result:—
6 had fathers who had died, or were still suffering from
phthisis.
1 had a mother who died of phthisis.
1 had an uncle who died of phthisis in the same house.
1 had a grandmother and aunt who died of phthisis.
1 had a next door neighbour who died of phthisis.
5 had been largely fed on unboiled cow's milk.
104. Bacteriological Diagnosis.—Sputum from 116 cases of
suspected phthisis was examined by the Lister Institute, and
the tubercle bacillus was found in 43 cases. The numbers for
the two previous years were 36 samples and 12 positive results,
144 samples and 44 positive results.
105. Disinfection was performed by the Health Department
at 192 premises compared with 18, 86, 89 and 108, in the four
preceding years. Of the 192 premises, deaths from phthisis