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14
TUBERCULOUS DISEASES.
Five cases of Pulmonary Tuberculosis were notified
under the Public Health (Tuberculosis) Regulations,
1908. There were nine deaths due to Tuberculous diseases,
viz., seven to Pulmonary Tuberculosis, one to
Tubercular Meningitis, and one to 'Tuberculous disease
of bone. Consumption hits some classes in life much
more heavily than others. The working classes, for
instance, suffer at least twice as much as the leisured
classes. Alcoholism has a very pronounced effect in
favouring its occurrence by undermining the individual's
power of resistance to the infection. This is shown by
the high percentage of consumption amongst the trades
and occupations in which indulgence in alcohol is most
common. On the other hand in those occupations and
trades where the reverse holds good, the percentage is
much lower, especially when the occupation is such as
to bring the worker a good deal in the open air. Of the
five cases notified, three were admitted for a time into
the Union Infirmary for treatment, but did not remain
long enough for permanent benefit to result. One of
these has since gone back for treatment. One poor
fellow died at home, and two are still undergoing treatment
in one of the London hospitals or sanatorium
attached to it.
In connection with the subject of making provision
for the treatment of consumption in open air sanatoria
by County Administration, application was made last
year to the Local Government Board by the Joint Hospital
Board for sanction to utilise South Mimms Small Pox
Hospital for the treatment of phthisis on these lines. The
Local Government Board held an enquiry into the application,
in September, 1910, but, so far as I know, the
result of the enquiry has not yet been given. The application
was strongly opposed by the Urban District of
Edmonton, who held that it was unwise to do anything
that would interfere with the utility of the hospital for
promptly dealing with an extensive small pox epidemic.
It was stated that the epidemic of 1901-2 cost the district
714 cases, 112 deaths, and an outlay of over £ 10,000.
CANCER (MALIGNANT DISEASE).
Ten people died from cancer, three more than last
year. There are certain causes at work producing an
increasing mortality from this disease, but as to their
nature our knowledge is still quite at fault. Many
theories have been suggested to explain the increase, but