View report page

99
Disposal of Sputum.—Twenty-five per cent. of the patients
used a special spit cup; 12 per cent. were said to spit into
pieces of paper or rag, which were subsequently burnt. One
per cent. stated that they spat into the fire or fireplace whenever
this was convenient, but were said to be very careless by the
other members of the family. The others, may be confidently
assumed to have taken few or no precautions in disposing of
their sputum. The result is very disheartening, especially, when
it is known that the Public Health Department supply special
sputum flasks gratis. The Borough Council examines for
medical men the sputa of all patients suspected to have phthisis,
free of charge.
In 1912, 159 specimens were examined. Of these, 60 were
found to have the tubercle bacillus present.
Search for missed and unrecognised cases. -As the result
of a special enquiry, in 23 affected families 26 suspicious cases of
chronic cough and wasting were discovered and put in the way
of obtaining treatment. By investigation into the other families
inhabiting the same houses as the consumptives, 11 other suspicious
cases of phthisis were referred to hospitals and dispensaries.
This is one of the most important purposes of visitation, to
enquire after missed and unrecognised cases in the homes of the
patients and in the households of the other families inhabiting
the houses affected. These overlooked cases, unless captured
early, are possessed of infinite possibilities of spreading phthisis.
Disinfection and Preventive Measures.—The rooms,
bedding, feeding utensils, towels, handkerchiefs and linen were
disinfected in 186 instances, or in 42 per cent. of the households.
In many of the affected homes the responsible head of the
family refused any disinfection whatever, in some cases only the
bedding was disinfected, in a few homes only the rooms were
attended to.
In every case it was urged that the room, the bedding, sheets,
pillow-slips, curtains, valances, towels, handkerchiefs, feeding