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174
1911]
Here, then, we see the usefulness of those "notifications which
have forced on sanitary authorities the knowledge of the presence of
these diseases in their midst, and the reiteration of the lesson thus imparted
has led to investigation of sources of disease, and to the adoption, to a greater
extent than would otherwise have been likely, of measures for preventing the
spread of infection. Under active local administration, particularly, each
notified case has become the starting-point for the discovery of cases previously
overlooked." It is because the notification of the more common fevers showed
that diseases could be prevented by eradicating the causes, or by the adoption
of precautions, that medical men, and enlightened persons among laymen,
advocated the notification of those other infectious diseases which have been
enumerated at the head of this section of this report. That these notifications
will do much good, nay, are doing so, is certain, particularly in the case of
pulmonary tuberculosis; although it is quite possible that the public may not
as yet fully appreciate it. But by and by when dispensaries, sanatoria, and
other suitable treatment are more available for our poorer citizens, they, as
well as those in better circumstances, will acknqwledge the benefit that
notification has conferred.
PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS.
In the quotation from the official report it will be noticed that pulmonary
tuberculosis was notifiable in 1911 under two orders of the Local Government
Board, viz:—(a) The Public Health Tuberculosis Regulations, 1908, and (b) The
Public Health (Tuberculosis in Hospitals) Regulations, 1911. It is necessary
to deal with each Order separately.
Notifications under the Public Health (Tuberculosis) Regulations,
1908.—Under these regulations 1,341 notifications were received, as
compared with 1,277 in 1910, and with 1,582 in 1909, so that there was an
increase of 64 on the return of 1910, and a decrease of 241 on that of 1909. The
1,341 notifications, however, related to only 735 persons, of whom only 484
were Islingtonians; while those of 1910 related to only 696 persons, of whom
478 were Islingtonians, and those of 1909 related to 808 persons, of whom 574
were Islingtonians.
Notifications.
Persons.
Islingtonians.
1909 1,582 808 574
1910 1,277 696 478
1911 1,341 735 484