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The measure now advocated, which, as I have shown you, has been
largely adopted throughout the country, will have an intimate and direct
bearing on the prevention of this disease, and should, therefore, lead to very
great results. In New York, the death rate from Phthisis has decreased more
than 30 per cent. since 1885, and the Medical Officer (Dr. Biggs) anticipates
that with compulsory notification, and with a complete and efficient scheme
for dealing with Pulmonary Tuberculosis, there will be a further decrease of
one.third, which means the saving of 3,000 lives annually.
This question of the prevention of Tuberculosis has been associated with
some of my early sanitary efforts. Indeed, I publicly advocated its compulsory
notification more than twelve years ago. I was, however, before my time, for
on that occasion not a single Medical Officer of Health supported my views.
it was then said, and perhaps rightly, that the medical profession of this
country were not prepared to notify the disease. But there is now a rapid
change coming over them, and it is very possible that in course of time,
perhaps in a very short time, they will agree to the form of notification which
I then advocated, just as they have agreed to the notification of the so.called
preventable zymotic diseases.
I am glad to know that in this borough there are many medical men who
hold a strong opinion that the time has arrived when this disease should be
made compulsorily notifiable. This, I regret, cannot be done now, although
I have little doubt that the time is not far distant when here, as elsewhere,
this method of notification will prevail. Meanwhile, however, we should have
it in its voluntary form, and endeavour to obtain public Sanatoria for
London.
I can, however, foresee that the time is approaching when practically all
the London Borough Councils will have adopted the principle of voluntary
notification, and that then the London County Council may be persuaded to
obtain from Parliament the necessary statutory powers to compel its notification.
Meanwhile, in my opinion, it is your duty to do what you can to prevent
this disease, which, unlike the notifiable diseases that mainly attack children,
is so fatal to persons in the prime of life.
This matter is now in your hands once more to deal with as you deem
right. I have, however, little doubt that you will come to the determination to
invite the co.operation of the medical profession, as recommended by the