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It will be noted that the case rate for pulmonary tuberculosis more
or less steadily increased until 1944, with an improvement in 1945,
whereas the corresponding rate for the non-pulmonary form has
decreased steadily after an initial rise until 1941. This is very similar
to the national trends and is probably attributable in part to improved
methods of detection, particularly by mass radiography, in which case
the increase in notifications is not so serious as at first would be imagined.
On the other hand, examination of the death rates reveals that, with
the exception of 1944, there has been a steady tendency to improvement
in the death rate from pulmonary tuberculosis after an initial rise in
*1940-41. This rate has not, however, yet steadied to pre-war levels
either locally or nationally, although it is encouraging to observe the
improvement which has occurred even during war-time by contrast with
the experience in the 1914-19 war. The non-pulmonary death rate is
even more satisfactory as this has steadily declined after the slight rise
in 1941 and is now below the pre-war rate. As, however, very small
numbers are involved it remains to be seen whether this apparent success
can be maintained.
Of the deaths which occurred from tuberculosis in 1945, 13 were in
previously notified cases, i.e., 65 per cent. Three of the remainder were
notified posthumously and a further two were diagnosed after post
mortem examination.
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