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The Faculty of Insurance appointed a Commission to take evidence
and report on the working of the National Insurance Act. The conclusion
arrived at is:—"That the Tuberculosis Scheme cannot be regarded as a
success, and that in all probability much better results would be arrived at
if the existing overlapping control were brought to an end." The Government
appointed a Departmental Committee to report on the same and to suggest
reforms which would not involve any extra charge on the Treasury.
DISPENSARIES.
Edmonton, Tottenham and Enfield form No. 1 area of the five into which
Middlesex is divided. The head dispensary of the area was opened at 56,
Silver Street, on 22nd October, 1913; there is a branch at Tynemouth House,
Tottenham, but none in Enfield. A second nurse has been added to the staff
of Dr. Coghill, the Tuberculosis Officer; his assistant, Dr. Trevor Davies, is on
war service.
COUNTY COUNCIL.
The Public Health Committee did not publish an Annual Report for the
year ending March, 1916. The County Medical Officer's Report for 1915
was received on 17th March, 1917, and found to be, like mine, much
condensed.
NEW REGULATIONS.
Two sets were issued during 1916. (See . Legal section.)
MEASLES.
The Measles Regulations, 1915.—This Order came into
force on the 1st January, 1916. In December, 1915, I made recommendation
as follows:—"Of course, in previous years, some amount of attention has
been given to measles, when notified to me by teachers or attendance officers.
One visit, at least, was paid to the home by a woman inspector, in order
that I might arrange for the exclusion of patients and contacts from school,
day and Sunday. But now compulsory notification of every case, followed
by the number of visits necessary to supervise each family affected, will mean
an enormous amount of work when an epidemic of measles arises, and a good
deal, even if there is only a moderate number of oases.
" The duties of the Council, and the Medical Officer of Health and his
staff, are briefly defined in Article IX. of the Regulations. If the Medical
Officer is to take an active part in this home visitation, it will be necessary to
have a vehicle at my disposal, which I could also use to enable me to take
a greater personal interest in the cases of tuberculosis.