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45
into the human body will result in the production of definite disease
depends largely upon the amount and virulence of the infective
material invading the vulnerable tissues of the body. Certain
factors tend to weaken those defensive forces and thus to render
the body less able to resist the infecting organisms. Among
these factors may be cited (1) the constitution of the individual,
(2) the surroundings in which he lives, (3) his standard, habits, and
methods of life, (4) the nature of his occupation or employment,
(5) the diseases and accidents to which he has been subjected. It
should be added that the disease has its own peculiar age incidence
in regard to which there are of course a considerable variety of
operative factors.
A discussion as to the origin and possible elimination of the
seeds of the disease or of the relation of the several factors aforesaid
to the general problem of tuberculosis is not within the scope
of this report. The Committee however, desire it to be understood
that these matters have not been overlooked in preparing
the scheme which is hereinafter described, and that they hope to
deal with them as may be required when their final report is
submitted.
Any scheme which is to form the basis of an attempt to
deal with Tuberculosis should provide:—
1. That it should be available for the whole community.
2. That the means which experience has proved to be most
effective should be adopted for the prevention of the
disease.
3. That a definite organisation should exist for the detection
of the disease at the earliest possible moment.
4. That within practicable limits the best methods of treatment
should be available for all those suffering from the
disease.
5. That concurrently with the measures for prevention,
detection and treatment provision should be made for
increasing the existing knowledge of the disease and
the methods for its prevention, detection and cure by
way of research.
The chief recommendations of the Committee are as
follows: —
1. That schemes dealing with the whole population should
be drawn up by Councils of Counties and County