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57
No. Rate No. Rate No Rate No. Rate No. Rate
Woolwich Parish 89 2.15 67 1.68 52 1.30 59 1.51 49 1.25
Plumstead „ 97 1.34 90 1.20 92 1.20 90 1.19 W. 56
W 0.96
Eltham „ 6 0.63 7 0.58 10 0.78 7 0.54 12 0.91
The Borough 192 1.56 164 1.29 154 1.19 156 1.23 150 1.17
London — 1.57 6969 1.47 6654 1 39 6419 1.32 — 1.31
72. The following table shows the death-rate from phthisis
in Woolwich and Plumstead parishes in each of the three past
quinquennia:—
1891-5
1896-1900
1901-5
Woolwich
2.80
2.16
2.15
Plumstead
1.78
1.40
1.35
73. To judge of the decrease of tuberculosis it is necessary
to consider carefully the figures given above for the various
forms of the disease. It is seen that the number of cases of
simple meningitis has considerably diminished, while that of
tuberculous meningitis has increased. The number of the two
together has remained nearly uniform. There can be little
doubt that cases which were formerly called simple meningitis
are now certified as tuberculous meningitis, and that the
increase of the latter is only apparent.
Again, it has become increasingly the practice to certify
deaths from such diseases as hip and spinal disease as tuberculous
; hence the increase from tuberculosis, in other forms,
is also probably apparent only, and the real diminution of
tuberculosis other than phthisis is greater than appears on the
surface. The reduction of phthisis in the past three years,
especially in Woolwich parish, is very marked.