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cided to pay the usual notification fee of 2s. 6d. for every
private case, and 1s. for every Institution (or public) case.
The fee is to be paid for the first notification only, and no
further fee is to be paid for any other notification of the
same case.
I need not remind you that it rests with you, as one of
the Medical Practitioners practising in Lambeth, to make
this Voluntary Notification of Consumption a success, by at
once notifying all your patients who are suffering from Consumption
(tuberculosis of the lungs), accompanied with
tuberculous expectorations. With such knowledge as to
where the disease is mostly to be found. I hope to be able
to take precautionary measures to prevent the extension of
this disease, which is now acknowledged, as you are aware,
to be of an infectious nature, due to the bacillus tuberculosis.
Secrecy will be observed, and the information which you
give, by notification, will be regarded as strictly private.
Allow me to take this opportunity of reminding you that
samples of sputum are examined, free of charge, at the Bacteriological
Laboratory, at Wanless Road, Loughborough
Junction. In this way you will, before notifying, be able to
confirm, or settle, the diagnosis of any of your cases, should
you wish to do so.
Bottles for holding samples of sputum can be obtained at
the Laboratory (Wanless Road), or at the above address.
Yours faithfully,
Joseph Priestley,
Medical Officer of Health.
Dr.
Since June 1st, 1902 (the date on which this voluntary system
of notification was commenced) up to December 31st, 1902, 315
cases have been notified. On the receipt of a notification, a
letter is sent privately to the patient notified, explaining in simple
language the nature of the infection in consumption and the
preventive measures (disinfection, destruction of sputum, etc.)