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195
Judging from the deaths from Consumption, which numbered
68, there must have been at least 200 sufferers from the disease
in the Borough during the year, and of those 81 were notified.
In the absence of sufficient provision to isolate the advanced
cases which are notified to me, the infection spreads in some of
the homes in Stoke Newington, and this will remain so until more
comprehensive measures are adopted.
Nurse A. A. Agar, who was appointed to give part-time services,
in connection with the Tuberculosis work within the Borough, has,
acting under the instruction of the Medical Officer (Dr. West), of
the Tuberculosis Dispensary, and myself, dealt with 123 different
cases, making in all 342 visits during 1916.
The value of our present measures against Tuberculosis is
seriously discounted by the failure to make the scheme sufficiently
comprehensive.
The persons who disseminate large quantities of the germs of
Consumption during coughing and expectoration, and who also
live in intimate contact with their families, are the most serious
element of danger in the spread of the disease; for the close association
of Tuberculosis with bad housing is admitted by all. Therefore,
the preventive measures of first importance are (1) better
housing; (2) effective measures to render the spread of infection
impossible when once the infective person has been discovered.
It would be economical as well as humane to segregate all infective
persons where this is judged to be necessary in the interests of others;
and there should be power (by a Magistrate's Order) for the compulsory
removal of such cases to a place of safety.
For advanced (non-sanatorium) cases, homes should be
provided which are local, inexpensive, and conducted on hospital
lines; and these should be under the care of the Dispensary
Medical Officer.