London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Barnes 1918

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Barnes]

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15
Infectious Diseases.
OTHER TUBERCULOSIS.
17 cases.—Barnes 8; Mortlake 9. There were 3 deaths.
Residential deaths from Tuberculosis during 1918—26 nett.
42 Deaths were registered locally; of these 22 belonged to
other districts and are deducted, while we have to add 6 other
deaths of residents dying outside the district. This leaves 26 nett
deaths, equal to a rate of 8 per 1,000 of the population, which is
very satisfactory when compared with England and Wales.
TUBERCULOSIS.
Remedies.
Immediate better and ample housing accommodation, including
the demolition of old property. Houses 12 to the acre with plenty
of light and air space. No house should have less than 3 bed rooms
if there are any children. There should be licenses granted for
sub-letting and then only afteivproper investigations
Sufferers from consumption should be segregated and colonised.
More centres for diagnosis and treatment should be established
and sufferers should be better controlled as to their habits and mode
of life by legislation.
The building of flats is to be deprecated ; it is begging the
whole housing question.
They may be useful for old or childless couples, or for bachelors
and spinsters.
What this country should be out for is to build houses for
family life, because it is on decent family life that the character of
the individual and the strength of the nation are founded.
The question of cost of land would be well repaid in the
increased health, happiness and freedom of the people.
Gardens or allotments should be acquired as they give scope
for healthy exercise, economy and thought.
I am convinced that the past epidemics of Influenza will send
up the incidence rate of Tuberculosis quite appreciably.