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As an essential preliminary to a much needed investigation with regard to the
etiology of the disease, notification is welcome, as enquiry will unquestionably
result in the collection of useful statistical material. Moreover, notification and the
administrative action associated therewith, should result in some limitation of the
spread of the disease.
In order to secure the initiation of prompt enquiry into the origin and incidence
of this disease, the Local Government Board, in the interests of public health, have
under consideration the desirability of adding it to the list of infectious diseases
already notifiable.
PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS.
During the year, 96 notifications of Pulmonary Tuberculosis were received in
accordance with the Public Health (Tuberculosis) Regulations, 1908 and 1911. Of
these, 24 were treated at Sanatoria, 21 were treated at home, 21 were received into
the Infirmary, 9 cases were fatal, and 2 were not traced. 19 certificates were
duplicates.
All have been investigated and such action taken as was possible to improve the
conditions of the sufferers and to prevent the spread of infection.
PUBLIC HEALTH (TUBERCULOSIS) REGULATIONS, 1912.
In December, 1908, the Local Government Board, in pursuance of powers vested
in them by Section 130 of the Public Health Act, 1875, as amended by the Public
Health Act, 1896, issued the Public Health (Tuberculosis) Regulations, 1908, which
provided for notification to the Medical Officer of Health of the Local Sanitary
Authority of cases of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Poor Law Institutions and among
persons under the care of Poor Law Medical Officers when acting in their public
capacity.
The Public Health (Tuberculosis in Hospitals) Regulations, issued in March, 1911,
was a further step in impressing on the public generally, and especially the poorer
classes, that Tuberculosis is an infectious disease, and as such can be fought and
suppressed.
These Regulations provided for the notification of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in
In-patients and Out-patients, at hospitals, dispensaries and other similar institutions for
the treatment of the sick, which are supported, either wholly or partially otherwise
than by the contributions of the patients, and otherwise than from rates and taxes.
The system of compulsory notification of all cases of Pulmonary Tuberculosis
was completed in November, 1911, when the Local Government Board by the issue of
the Public Health (Tuberculosis) Regulations, 1911, provided for the notification
within 24 hours by a medical practitioner of any case of Pulmonary Tuberculosis
which came under his notice.
The issue of three Regulations with regard to the one subject has on occasions
given rise to some slight difficulties of administration, and the Local Government Board
have accordingly consolidated and amended these in the Public Health (Tuberculosis)
Regulations, 1912, dated 17th December, 1912.