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4
TUBERCULOSIS.
Of these 15 were notified, 12 Pulmonary, and 3 other forms, with
3 deaths. The majority of these cases received special treatment at the
Hounslow Tuberculosis centre, and the various Convalescent Homes or
Hospitals.
Comparison with England and Wales, the Tuberculosis Rate per
thousand of population:—
Feltham, 2.9. England and Wales, 2.7.
I can only account for this slight increase of average, owing to the two
successively wet seasons, and the advice given to live in the country.
In reviewing the Deaths as a whole, Longevity stands out well, as
8 lived to between 60 and 70; 14 lived to between 70 and 80 ; and 4
lived to between 80 and 90 years.
As to the Birth Rate, this has improved from 21.3 in 1913, 21.2
in 1914, to the present year, 1915, of 23.2.
The Notification of Births (Extension) Act only came into force on
the 1st September, 1915, and no Health Visitor being appointed, it is
premature to say what effect this will have, until in full working order.
EPIDEMICS.
A small epidemic of Measles, followed by Mumps, occurred in July
aud August. Measles caused 3 deaths between the ages of 2 and 5 years.
Councils all over the country were asked to consider the advisability
of adding Measles aud Whooping Cough to their list of Notifiable
Diseases, who had not already done so. Many, like ourselves, refused,
with the result that Measles, aud German Measles, is now Notifiable
from the 1st January, 1916, and there is a strong possibility of Whoopiug
Cough following at a later date.
BILLETING OF SOLDIERS.
Many enquiries were made by the Military Authorities as to the
suitability of certain houses for troops, and although the neighbouring
district of Ashford dealt with over a thousand men, it was not until the
end of the year that the 3rd 25th Cyclists London Corps who had been
temporarily in residence at Butts Farm, Hanworth, and Tudor House,
Hanworth Park, that the district felt the full force of Billeting, and
which remained well into this year. Further reference will be made to
this in next year's report.
WATER SUPPLY.
About 85 per cent of houses are now supplied with water from the
Public Main, which is the South West Suburban Water Company, which
takes its store from the Thames at Egham. Regular Bacteriological
and Chemical Analyses are made, in conjunction with a scheme with
other districts which are supplied by them. There is a strong feeling
amongst those who have the safeguarding of the Public Health, that,
until the Company see their way to increase their storage, by installing
settling resevoirs, all the districts supplied are not in a really safe position.