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57
TUBERCULOSIS.
Notification.—Finsbury was one of the very first boroughs
to adopt the voluntary notification of phthisis and of "open"
tuberculosis, that is, tuberculosis associated with discharges.
This was in 1900, or 13 years ago. From the very first, the
cases were visited by the public health staff, suitable enquiries
were made into the origin of the disease, the home circumstances
and the sanitary condition of the premises. Appropriate advice
was given to the patient and to the contacts. A leaflet of
instruction was left with the patient, and periodic disinfection
of the premises was offered. In recent years events have moved
more rapidly.
The notification of patients in poor law institutions was made
compulsory under the Public Health (Tuberculosis) Regulations
of the Local Government Board, which came into force on the 1st
January, 1909.
By the Public Health (Tuberculosis in Hospitals) Regulations,
1911, phthisis from the 1st May, 1911, was made compulsorily
notifiable in all hospitals, dispensary and institutional patients.
By the Public Heal,th (Tuberculosis) Regulations, 1911, a
general order was issued by the Local Government Board making
all cases of pulmonary tuberculosis compulsorily notifiable from
the 1st January, 1912.
Finally, by the Public Health (Tuberculosis) Regulations, 1912,
all forms of tuberculosis are compulsorily notifiable from and
after the 1st February, 1913.
TUBERCULOSIS OF THE LUNGS.
This disease is also known as pulmonary tuberculosis, phthisis,
and, popularly, as consumption of the lungs.