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Pulmonary Phthisis or Tuberculosis of the lungs,
popularly known as "consumption" or "decline" is an
infectious disease usually of a chronic nature. Its
infectivity is dependent upon the presence of a microbe
called the Bacillus Tuberculosis, which multiplies in
the lungs and may be conveyed from person to person,
either (a) by means of the mucous expectorated or
coughed up as spray or (b) by the expectorated matter
reduced to the form of dust and inhaled.
The disease itself is not hereditary, but the
peculiarly delicate constitution and formation of body
which is most receptive of the bacillus certainly is so.
Phthisis in its early stages is only slightly, if at all,
infectious, but in advanced cases of the disease the
consolidated masses of tubercle in the lungs break down
and form cavities. The patient in this advanced
condition of the disease is constantly coughing and
spitting, he becomes a focus of infection, and should be
isolated accordingly. Pulmonary Tuberculosis was first
made compulsorily notifiable by order of the Local
Government Board in January, 1909, this order
confined notification to patients under the care of Poor
Law Medical Officers. In May, 1911, the requirement
was extended to the Medical Officers of Public Hospitals
and Dispensaries, and recently this has been followed
by a third order, which came into force in January,
1912, by which every Medical Practitioner attending or
called into visit any person who, in his opinion is
suffering from Pulmonary Phthisis, must notify the
case to the Medical Officer of Health.