io8 THOMPSON YATES LABORATORIES REPORT 
Also, if it were possible, for the Health Department of all large cities to under- 
take the thorough disinfection of all rooms in which consumptives have died, a great 
source of danger would be averted. In the absence of any legislation on the matter, 
a great deal could be done by the Health Department undertaking to do this work 
when requested by the householder, making a reasonable charge where possible, and in 
other cases doing the work free of cost. Many people would gladly avail themselves 
of this were it within their reach, especially as the apparatus for the work is beyond 
their reach. Should the Health Departments announce to the citizens that they were 
ready to do this work we might look for a steadily increasing demand for the use of 
the apparatus, and with this a lessening in the mortality. 
The whole question of decrease in the death rate from Tuberculosis will 
depend upon proper treatment of those affected, and on the education of both 
the masses .and the classes in the importance of prophylaxis. 
I am pleased to know that Liverpool is making preparations for the reception 
of part of its consumptive poor in special sanatoria. This is an excellent start, and 
one which deserves all support. Not only will the patients there treated receive 
marked benefit, and many of them be able to return to their work, but what appears 
to me the most important function of a sanatorium will then bear fruit, that is, its 
work as a centre from which information regarding prophylaxis will radiate. Every 
patient who returns to his home will be the means of spreading amongst his own 
circle the knowledge of the necessity for care of a patient and his expectoration. 
With the erection of these sanatoria throughout the kingdom we may hope to 
see in a few years most beneficial results, and Liverpool should be congratulated on 
taking the first step in this work. 
In conclusion, I must express my thanks to Dr. Hope, the Medical Officer of 
Health for Liverpool, and to the officials of his department, through whom I have 
had access to the weekly returns of deaths covering the past five years and to other 
vital statistics of the city. 
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