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99
It is well known that Tuberculosis officers do not see many of
the new cases in the early stages of the disease. 1936 was the same
in this respect as 1935; only 37.9% of the cases were first seen
at a stage when a definite arrest of the disease could reasonably be
hoped for. The insidious onset of Pulmonary Tuberculosis and the
fact that often considerable damage to the lungs is present before
any definite symptoms develop makes it very difficult to detect
it in its early stages without careful physical and X-ray examination.
The initiative to seek treatment when ill rests with the patient
himself, and the remedy partly lies in the education of the public
as to the symptoms and common dangers of Tuberculosis and the
need for securing early treatment. It is unfortunate that 62.0%
of the new cases were more or less advanced in the disease.
Non-Pulmonary Tuberculosis.
There were 18 cases examined at the Clinic and found to have
Non-Pulmonary Tuberculosis in the following forms:—
Bones and Joints 5
Abdominal 2
Other Organs 3
Peripheral Glands 8
18
Tables XIX. and XX. summarise the condition of all
patients whose records are at the Clinic at the end of 1936. These
tables show that of patients who came under treatment for Pulmonary
Tuberculosis before 1926, 399 adults and 107 children have
been discharged as recovered. Of these all but 16 were early cases.
Of the 1926 cases, 24 adults of the 1927 cases, 27 adults and 2
children of the 1928 cases 28 adults and 2 children ,and of the 1929
rases 8 adults and 3 children, and of the 1930 cases 10 adults, have
recovered.
Of patients who first attended in 1936, 3 have been lost sight
or otherwise removed from the Clinic Register. Of the 1935
cases 30 were lost sight of.
Of patients who attended prior to 1296, 262 adults and 15
Children are known to have died ; since 1926, 999 adults and 24
Children are known to have died. Of patients attending for the
first time in 1936, 23 have died.