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In view, however, of the fact that just over 40% of fatal
cases die within one year of notification, still further efforts are
needed to secure detection of the disease at the earliest possible
moment. Pulmonary Tuberculosis, the most fatal form of the
disease, affects, in the main, young members of the population
aged 16 to 30 years. Prompt reference to the Tuberculosis
Officer of such persons, disabled with influenza, debility, anaemia
or similar complaints, would lead to a greater number of cases
being diagnosed soon after the onset of the disease, which is too
often mistaken, at first, for one or other of the disabilities mentioned.tioned.
Five years ago a meeting of local practitioners was held at
which a recognised consultant gave an address on the principles
of early diagnosis in pulmonary tuberculosis. This was much
appreciated and led to a close co-operation between the practitioners
of the district and the tuberculosis dispensary service. It
is hoped in the near future to hold a similar meeting with the
object of acquainting practitioners with the most recent advances
made in diagnosis and treatment of chest diseases.
On page 38 are set out details of the work done in the dispensary
during the year. During the year an alteration was made
in the arrangements for home visiting. This is now undertaken
by the Health Visitors, each one of whom attends a dispensary
session at regular intervals.
Efforts have been made to continue the intensive examination
of contacts, both with a view to detecting cases at the earliest
possible moment, and also in order to discover, if possible, the
source of infection.
In the report for the year 1928 was inserted a table showing
the human sources of infection which had given rise to cases of
meningeal or miliary tuberculosis in young children. This investigation
has, since then, been continued firstly with the cooperation
of Dr. E. J. Maclntyre and latterly of Dr. E. J. O'Keeffe,
and, on pages 32—34 are set outparticulars of contact examination
of the families of children aged 0-10, who have died from meningeal