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59
Examination of Contacts.
Insured. Children. Non.Insured.
M. F. M. F.
Pos. Neg. Bus. Pos. Neg.
Pos. Neg. Sus. Neg. Pos. Neg. Sus.
4 4 1 2 6 7 50 10 1 5 1 5 3
Pos. 18 Neg. 76 Sus. 14 Total 108.
The above summary gives in detail the work which has been
carried out at the Municipal Tuberculosis Dispensary during the past
year; I think we may say that the Clinic has run smoothly and
efficiently in the period under review. The close of 1919 saw the end
from a practical point of view of new cases arising as a direct consequence
of the war; and the period now under consideration more
nearly approximates to the normal than any period since 1913 ; at the
same time it has to be remembered that any condition causing a
temporary increase of the cases in a district has its repercussion for
some time in the number of contact cases arising in connection with
them ; the effect of such a temporary increase as occurred during the
war and on demobilization is bound to have an influence on the numbers
for some considerable period.
It will be noticed that there has been a very material increase in
the patients attending the Dispensary compared with last year.
The total attendances at 2,625 are increased by 1,082, and
systematic physical examinations at 1,140 show an increase of 357 in
the same period.
New patients were 430 as compared with 296. Contact cases
examined total 105 ; in addition to these a number of cases, •'contacts
of doubtful cases " have come at my request for examination.
Of the contact cases examined :—
18 were found to be tubercular
76 „ „ non.tubercular
14 „ „ doubtful
In connection with these cases we are fortunate in possessing the
services of Mrs. Fisher, our Sanitary Inspector, whose long knowledge
of the families and indefatigability in following them up is invaluable.
The large numbers dealt with have involved a great deal of extra
work, which has fallen heavily on our Tuberculosis Nurse, her
unfailing help even in times of greatest pressure has been of great
assistance in carrying on the work.