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few were inhabitants of common lodging houses, with no permanent
abode, who did not seek medical attention until the last
moment, and a few were inquest cases. As is stated later, there
are also, many people, who, through fear, apathy, or ignorance,
do not consult their doctor till late in the disease.
It must be remembered that notification of tuberculosis is a
statutory obligation on the part of every medical man, and
practitioners should make every effort to effect this as early as
possible. Enquiries are always made by the Medical Officer of
Health in all cases of tuberculosis which are not notified at death,
or die within a very short time after notification.
The figures for 'other forms' of tuberculosis are worse than
those for the 'respiratory system.' The former are almost
wholly composed of deaths from varieties of miliary tuberculosis
in infants. There is admittedly a difficulty in the diagnosis of
many of these cases, but as will be shown later (Table III.) early
notification is of the utmost importance for it may well lead to
the discovery of a new and unsuspected case of tuberculosis in
the parents.
In view of the unsatisfactory figures shown in Table II., it is
well that we should view the tuberculosis scheme, as it exists,
and discover if there is any part or condition capable of improvement.
The paucity of early cases is revealed at once as the rock
on which the whole tuberculosis scheme at present founders, and
is well brought out by the following figures of adult cases of
pulmonary tuberculosis referred to the Tuberculosis Officer during
the past year:—
Percentage of
Class of case. Number. Total.
T.B. —(Early Cases) 33 29-7
T.B. + 1 (Cases in fair condition, but with
tubercle bacilli in the sputum) 21 18-8
T. 8.+2 (Late Cases comparatively few
of whom do well) 58 51-8