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108
APPENDIX.
To the Chairman and Members
of the Public Health Committee.
Gentlemen,
TUBERCULOSIS.
Introduction.
In 1882 Koch, of Berlin, made the discovery that tuberculosis
was caused by a micro-organism, the bacillus tuberculosis, which
is present at intervals in the sputum of the persons suffering from
tuberculosis of the lungs, and that, consequently the disease belongs
to the class of specific infectious diseases. This important discovery
immediately removed this disease from the class of incurable
diseases, as it was then regarded, into that of preventable diseases.
Measures were then introduced in many places in order to prevent
as far as possible the spread of the disease. With this view many
Local Authorities made the disease voluntarily notifiable, and many
obtained powers to make it compulsorily notifiable. With the same
object the Borough Council, in the year 1906, recognising the fact
that it was their duty to help to join in this fight against tuberculosis,
made this disease voluntarily notifiable. The only preventive
measures then practicable, viz., the disinfection of premises when
vacated by tuberculous patients, and the education of the public
as to the nature of the disease and its possible prevention were
actively put in operation in the Borough.
Tuberculosis Regulations.
In 1908 the Local Government Board made regulations under
Section 130 of the Public Health Act, 1875, as amended by the
Public Health Act, 1896, and the Public Health (London) Act,
1891, requiring all cases of pulmonary tuberculosis occurring