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146
is the signal for the infection of other members of the family, unless
means are adopted to isolate or remove the patient to some institution.
This process of infection is going on in hundreds of homes in
Hackney at the present time, and will continue until more comprehensive
measures are adopted to cope with this condition of things.
At present the preventive measures adopted in the Borough
to put a check upon the spread of tuberculosis are insufficient for
attaining the object desired. The following taken from my Annual
Report for the year 1909 will show how far they fall short of a comprehensive
scheme for preventing the spread of this disease in Hackney.
Measures Taken during the Year 1909.
(1) The disinfection of every room occupied by a tuberculous
person, with any infected articles, either after removal of the patient
to some institution or after death. The number of such rooms
disinfected during 1909 was 247. (2) On the notification of a case
under the regulations a visit of enquiry is made by one of the sanitary
inspectors, and a printed leaflet on the prevention of the
spread of consumption is sent to each patient. (3) Arrangements
have been made for the gratuitous bacteriological examination of
sputa sent by any medical practitioner practising in the Borough.
The number of such examinations made during the year was 104.
To make any marked impression upon the spread of tuberculosis
in Hackney it is necessary to supplement the above measures by
the addition of a tuberculosis dispensary in the Borough. Such an
addition will, I am sure, furnish the best hope for controlling and
ultimately eradicating consumption from our midst.
Believing that the Committee desire to check the spread of
this disease in the Borough, I strongly recommend the establishment
of a tuberculosis dispensary in some central position in the
district, to be conducted on the lines of the Edinburgh system.
I am, Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
J. KING WARRY, M.D., D.P.H.,
Medical Officer of Health.