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6
Medical Officer's Report.
The Act is to continue in operation for five years, till the 1st
January, 1904.
In April, 1898, was issued the Report of the Royal Commission on
Tuberculosis, appointed to enquire into the administrative procedures for
controlling danger to man through the use as food of the meat and milk of
tuberculous animals.
On pages 22 and 23 I give an abstract of the recommendations of this
Royal Commission.
CONSUMPTION AND OTHER TUBERCULAR DISEASES.
Although sanitary improvements have already done much, there are still
about 60,000 deaths annually in England and Wales from consumption and
other forms of tuberculosis, such as consumption of the bowels, or tabes
mesenterica, diseases of the brain, glands, bones, and joints, the latter leading
to hump-back, hip-joint disease, and other deformities.
It is now known that "this terrible waste of life, with all the protracted
suffering attending it, and the distress, moral and material, which it involves,
is in great measure preventable." I am, therefore, very glad that during the
year much has been done to educate the public and arouse their interest in
this most important subject. The National Association for the Prevention of
Consumption and other Forms of Tuberculosis has been formed. For a
subscription of five shillings anyone can become a member, or a life-member
for a donation of five guineas. A leaflet and pamphlet have already been
issued, and the Board gave its consent for copies of these to be sent to
members of the Board. In my Annual Report for the year 1895 I mentioned
that, for the prevention of consumption and allied diseases, it is necessary
that there should be—
Good ventilation of houses and workshops, and their sanitary construction
and arrangement so as to secure fresh air, good light, and
dry walls.
No overcrowding.
Proper drainage of the soil.
Inspection of cowsheds, dairies, and cows, so as to insure good milk,
free from the germs of tuberculosis.
Inspection of animals intended for food, and adequate supervision of
them at the time of slaughter.
Disinfection of the sputum of phthisical patients, infected articles
and rooms.