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TUBERCULOSIS.
In 1921 the Tuberculosis Services centred in the dispensary
premises at No. 19 Brunswick Square, were taken over by the
Borough Council and the administrative arrangements for the
control of this disease municipally directed.
On the 5th July, 1948, consequent upon the operation of
the National Health Service Act, 1946, the responsibilities of
the Tuberculosis Dispensary were transferred from the Borough
Council to the London County Council, with the exception of
the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis, which was delegated
to the Regional Hospitals Board. Notification, statistics and
disinfection remain the duty of the Camberwell Public Health
Department.
It cannot be said that the present "set-up" for tuberculosis
control is satisfactory and it would seem that further consideration
should be given to the steps necessary to eradicate this
disease with its wide-spread incidence and high mortality.
Tuberculosis remains a serious menace to public health.
It affects largely those age groups which are of the greatest
value to the productive capacity of the nation and has a serious
influence on the industrial life of the population.
Poverty, overcrowding, ignorance of elementary hygiene
and absence of sun are recognised to be factors which play their
part in the spread of the disease.
The three main lines of attack in the fight against tuberculosis
are (i) the early detection of cases, (ii) prompt treatment
and (iii) the prevention of new cases.
Mass radiography has led to the discovery and notification
of new cases at an early stage of the disease. It is essential for
all cases of pulmonary and non-pulmonary tuberculosis to be
notified immediately on discovery so that action can be taken
to reduce the spread of infection. This includes the careful and
thorough instruction of all patients in precautionary measures
not only when receiving sanatorium treatment but also in their
homes. Tuberculosis arises by infection from already established
cases. If patients were isolated or would obey the instructions
they receive and contacts were protected in every possible way,
progress in reducing the incidence of this disease would be
accelerated.