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27
The number of cases of tuberculosis notified in the Borough
during the year was only 3 more than in the previous year, but the
exclusion of non-civilians from the estimated population of the
Borough caused the attack-rate to rise from 1.32 to 1.82. This
cannot, however, be accepted as a true index of the incidence of
tuberculosis, since cases of tuberculosis occurring among men and
women serving with the Armed Forces are included among the
notified cases whilst members of the Armed Forces are excluded from
the population figure.
Similarly, whilst it is true that the deaths from tuberculosis
in 1941 reached a higher total than in any year since 1936, the deathrate
would not have shown such a marked increase (from 0.74 to 1.14)
if service personnel had been included in the population figure.
New patients attending at the two Tuberculosis Dispensaries
numbered 693, of which number 192 were found to be suffering from
pulmonary tuberculosis and 32 from non-pulmonary tuberculosis.
In addition, 101 contacts of notified cases were examined and 7 were
found to be suffering from tuberculosis.
Sixty-nine patients received a total of 889 artificial pneumothorax
refills at an expense to the Council of £352. Four patients
received Finsen and arc light treatment for lupus, the cost to the
Council of the 37 treatments being £9 5s.
Beds and bedding were loaned to 16 patients during the year.
The loan of garden shelters to three patients was continued.
Three patients were supplied with dentures, and one patient
received dental treatment at a cost to the Council of £16 16s. 8d.,
and 79 patients were granted extra nourishment.
SCABIES AND VERMINOUS CONDITIONS.
The following table shows the number of persons cleansed of
scabies or verminous conditions at the Council's Cleansing Station
during 1941:—