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relatives of, and attendants upon consumptive patients
and those engaged in occupations in which tuberculosis
is most rife e.g. potmen, cutlers, bookbinders,
printers, potters, tin, lead, and copper miners, and
hair dressers. Distribution of cards of instructions
explained by intelligent health visitors is strongly
recommended.
As tuberculosis is a disease of protracted duration,
isolation is impracticable, but if the patient be properly
trained and instructed, his powers of infectivity may
be rendered inoperative. Temporary abode in a
sanatorium is the most effective means to this end.
Early Diagnosis.
Until the nature of the disease is discovered no
steps can be taken to prevent the spread of infection.
At present a very large proportion of the cases of
Tubercular Phthisis remain unrecognized until the
disease has advanced sufficiently far to interfere with
the patient's daily occupation. It is most important
both for the sake of the patient himself and those
brought into contact with him, that precautionary
measures should be taken at an early period of the
disease. Facilities for securing early diagnosis are
therefore of great importance. The gratuitous
bacteriological examination of sputum is the most
successful means to this end. It is also hoped that
the Medical Inspection of school children recently
instituted, will secure the detection of previously
unrecognised cases amongst children.