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59
The Public Health (Tuberculosis) Regulations of 1908 came into
operation on January 1st of this year, and in future all poor persons
coming under the Poor-Law Medical Officers, suffering from consumption,
will be visited and advised by me or the Health Visitor as
to the measures possible to be adopted in their own interests and those
of the public.
''A memorandum by the Medical Officer of the Local Government
Board on Administrative Measures against Tuberculosis" has just been
issued, and it would be well that a copy should be in the hands of
every doctor and public representative in this district.
Similar measures to those recommended have been long suggesred
by me in my yearly reports, and a first step might be taken by insisting
that the warning. " Do not spit," would entail a penalty if disobeyed by
those using our tram cars. There is little need for spitting as a rule,
and with a little pressure the habit is easily cured.
" The suffering and loss of life caused by Phthisis may be gauged by
realising that over 7,000 persons, mainly in the prime of life, die yearly
in London from this cause, and that the deaths from Phthisis are
nearly three times those of Scarlet Fever and Diphtheria and are
nearly equal to all the deaths produced by Enteric Fever, Erysipelas,
Puerperal Fever, Whooping Cough, Measles, Scarlatina and Diphtheria."
Diseases of the Respiratory Organs other than
Phthisis.—These caused 213 deaths compared with 299 in 1907,
208 in 1906, 236 in 1905 and 219 in 1904.
OTHER DISEASES.
Erysipelas.—Three deaths resulted, compared with five in 1907.
Many conditions notified as Erysipelas clear up in a few days, and the
deaths bear little relation to the number of notifications received.
No case of spreading of Erysipelas from one member to another in
a household has occurred, and the need of notification of this disease
or keeping it on the list of dangerous notifiable diseases is not
apparent.
Such action costs your authority about fifteen pounds yearly.
Cancer.—Ninety-four deaths were attributed to this disease, as
compared with 75 in 1907.