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51
institutions where the following precautionary measures have
been thoroughly carried out indicates that by such measures the
risk of infection is reduced to a minimum, namely—
(a) The careful disposal and disinfection of the sputum
and other discharges.
(b) The disinfection or destruction of soiled handkerchiefs,
clothes and linen.
(c) The removal of dust by frequent moist cleansing of
the floors, walls, etc., of the rooms.
(d) The supply of abundant air space, and free ventilation
with fresh air.
No risk is incurred by living in the immediate neighbourhood
of Institutions for the treatment of tuberculosis which are
properly conducted.
On the other hand there is great difficulty at present
in dealing with persons suffering from chronic and
advanced phthisis who are unquestionably a source of
danger to those living with them, owing to the inadequate
accommodation for such cases in London. Practically the
only institutions to which they can be admitted are the
Workhouse Infirmaries, and these it is often very
difficult to persuade them to enter, and still more so to
induce them to remain.
The administrative obstacles which interfere with the
prevention of infection may also be illustrated by the
following case.
It was ascertained that a woman had been registered
by the London County Council under the Infant Act
as having care of a nurse child who had herself been
notified as suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis,
together with her husband and three of their children.
That the nurse child would be infected if it remained
with her was reasonably certain, but no representation
could be made to the London County Council that she
was unfit to have the care of the child, in view of the
Tuberculosis Regulations of the Local Government
Board, Clause 16 of which prescribe that "nothing in
these regulations shall have effect so as to apply, or so
as to authorise a Medical Officer of Health or a Local
Authority, or any other person or authority, directly or