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suffering from the disease. These remarks apply equally to
Whooping Cough, of which complaint there were a large number of
cases. A reference to the mortality table will show that Measles and
Whooping Cough together, caused 14 deaths; whereas Scarlet Fever,
Diphtheria and all other Notifiable diseases, caused only 6 deaths.
As I have already remarked, Measles was in some measure
responsible for the spread of Scarlet Fever. Both diseases were
prevalent concurrently, and several instances come under notice, in
which children suffering from Scarlet Fever had been " nursed up" at
home, no doctor being called in, under the belief that the illness
was Measles.
Phthisis or Consumption.
The number of deaths from Consumption shows a steady increase
year by year pari passu with the increase in population. The disease
is a type of "preventible" diseases, and it requires but very simple
precautions to prevent its spreading from person to person. Essentially
prevention rests with the patient himself, and if the expectoration of a
consumptive person be destroyed or disinfected he need have no fear that
he is spreading infection. The misery of the consumptive patient in the
later stages of the disease, when treated at home, under bad environment,
and without proper nursing is indescribable and the danger of
infection of those in his vicinity very great. Formerly, it was believed
that consumption was an incurable disease, but now it is well
recognised that under suitable treatment—especially in the earlier
stages—the lungs often become healed. The treatment is carried
out in special Sanatoriums, which are now established throughout the
country, and those which are maintained by the combination of local
authorities are an inestimable boon, since many of the sufferers are
neither paupers nor persons able to pay the fees demanded
by private institutions. I venture to urge upon the Council
the desirability of joining the scheme for the proposed Sanatorium
for Middlesex, for you would then have the satisfaction of knowing
that not only the best means were being taken to prevent the disease,
but of giving a fresh lease of life to many of the wage earners of the
families of the poor, and if not this, at least, the alleviation of suffering,
care and comfort, which would otherwise be unobtainable.