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these occurred in institutions outside the district, such as London
hospitals; others are deaths of persons long resident in asylums, etc.
One death of a child under twelve months of age was certified
as due to phthisis, and two deaths under twelve months were
certified as due to tuberculous meningitis. Probably none of these
three were really cases of tuberculosis. When all the facts are
borne in mind, it would seem that our true tuberculosis death rate
is really quite a low one.
I would like to take this opportunity of drawing attention to
the opportunities that now exist for the treatment of suitable cases
of phthisis in Isolation Hospitals. Such an hospital as ours at
Mortlake is admirably adapted for the temporary reception of these
cases, and particularly for the application of the methods practised
at the Frimley sanatorium.
I trust that the subject will rcceive consideration, and, if so,
perhaps some advantageous arrangements may be arrived at with
the Board of Guardians.
The cases of infectious disease occurring during 1910
were neither numerous nor important. There were forty cases of
diphtheria, twenty-eight in Barnes and the remainder in Mortlake,
Thirty-five were removed to Hospital, and two died, giving a case
mortality of five per cent. During the early part of the year there
seemed to be a certain amount of grouping amongst the Barnes
cases, and it was popularly believed that conditions at the Green
Schools were at fault.
Enquiry shewed, however, that the disease was not confined to
the scholars at this school, and that the chief common factor was
undoubtedly residence in the lower lying part of the district, in
which this school happens to be. After prolonged rainfall the
ground water in this part of Barnes rises rapidly, and comes quite