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70. To judge of the decrease of Tuberculosis it is
necessary to consider carefully the figures given above for
the various forms of disease. It is seen that the number of
cases of simple Meningitis has considerably diminished, while
that of Tuberculous Meningitis has tended to increase. The
number of the two together diminished but little until 1910.
There can be little doubt that cases which were formerly
called simple Meningitis are now certified as Tuberculous
Meningitis, and that the latter has really decreased.
Again, it has become increasingly the practice to certify
deaths from such diseases as hip and spinal disease as
Tuberculous. The real diminution of Tuberculosis other
than Phthisis is no doubt greater than appears on the
surface. The reduction of Phthisis is very marked and
satisfactory.
Until last year there was but very slight reduction in
Tuberculosis of intestines and peritoneum. If this disease,
as Dr. Koch and others think, is mainly contracted from
other persons in the home suffering from Phthisis, the
reduction should have been greater. If, on the other hand,
it is mainly due to the consumption of tuberculous milk,
little diminution could be expected until some radical step
was taken for preventing the importation into the Borough
of such milk. Such a step was taken when the London