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It is clear, therefore, that a considerable increase in the work of
the Health Department is to be looked forward to in carrying out
the important duties set forth in the Regulations, to which the
attention of Sanitary Authorities and their Officers was specially
drawn by the Local Government Board in their circular letter
accompanying the Regulations.
It may be of interest to the Committee to outline the steps taken
at present in this Borough to carry out the objects for which these
Regulations were issued.
(1) Notification.—Each notification as received is entered in the
register, and, in addition, a card-index relating to each patient
is prepared, containing a full history of the case for record purposes.
(2) Visitation of the Homes.—Each case, as soon as notified, is
visited at the home. Enquiries are made by the Sanitary Inspector
or Health Visitor as to the history of each case. Advice, both oral and
written, is given to the patient or his friends as to The precautions
to be taken to prevent tHe spread of infection to others, and efforts
are made to ascertain whether " contacts "—i.e., other members of
the family or perons living in the same house—are exhibiting
symptoms of illness of a suspicious character. In such instances
steps are taken to induce such " suspects " to be medically examined.
A careful inspection of the house is also made to ascertain whether
any insanitary conditions exist requiring to be dealt with.
(3) Disinfection.—In all cases disinfection of the room and
clothing is offered, and in the great majority of cases carried out.
Disinfectants are supplied to the patient. A pocket spittoon is also
given to each patient to enable him to dispose of his sputum with a
minimum of risk to others.
(4) Facilities are provided by the Council for the use of Medical
Practitioners for the bacteriological examination of sputum.
(5) Such other measures are taken as are at present available
to secure the welfare of the patient and protect others from risk of
infection.
Patients being treated at home are periodically visited, a
monthly return of such cases, with a report as to the progress or
otherwise of the patient, being submitted to the Medical Officer of
Health by each of the officers entrusted with this important duty.
It will be seen, therefore, that the organisation for carrying out
the provisions of the Regulations is one requiring a large amount of
the time and energy of a Sanitary and Health Visitor Staff. The