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31
The rooms are not only disinfected in the usual way, but
cleansing notices are served and all appropriate materials and
articles disinfected at the Disinfecting Station.
The number of fatal cases of phthisis annually is not great,
averaging about 20. Of these usually one third occur in the Union
Infirmary.
Disinfection has been secured during 1908 in every case in
which death has occurred in the district.
There is very little accommodation available for the hospital
treatment of early cases occurring in this district, and Brompton is
usually the only hope of those in poor circumstances.
There are, or were, open-air wards at the Union Infirmary at
Richmond, and many advanced cases naturally end their days at
that institution.
But 1 am not aware of the extent to which these wards have
been used for early cases.
However, the Isolation Hospital at Mortlake, now that the
new block is nearing completion, is admirably adapted for a trial
of the Brighton system, and a few male cases could well be
accommodated and perhaps usefully employed.
We have ample air space, and relatively large grounds, most
suitable for the experiment.
The phthisis death rate in Barnes and Mortlake has steadily
decreased as the subsoil water has sunk.
But the disappearance of some of the congeries of old cottages
would probably lessen it still more.