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48
is to be looked for in the way of preventing infection it must
come from this direction.
The work of the Dispensary is shown in the Statistical Table,
and explains itself.
From the table it will be noticed that 161 patients were diagnosed
at the Dispensary as suffering from Pulmonary Tuberculosis,
and 57 from Non-Pulmonary Tuberculosis.
Diagnosis.—Before diagnosing Tuberculosis in children and
non-bacillary adults, a certain diagnostic standard was this year
adopted at the Dispensary. This standard followed closely that
used in the famous Framingham Demonstration, and was found
exceedingly helpful. In addition, certain confirmatory tests were
used, viz.:—
1. The multi-papillary cutaneous tuberculin test (Ellis).
2. X-ray examination.
3. The chemical examination of the sputum for albumin.
4. Blood pressure.
By these methods it is hoped that few cases of Tuberculosis
were missed, and, further, that no patient was labelled tuberculous
who did not give good reason for the same.
Duration ok Illness.—In all cases of death from Pulmonary
Tuberculosis inquiry is made as to how long the deceased had
been ill. Where the patient had attended the Dispensary at any
time there was seldom any difficulty in obtaining a fairly correct
history, but in other cases the answers on this point were often
vague and indefinite. Taking, however, 76 deaths (39 males, 26
females and 11 children) whose histories were recorded at the
Dispensary, the average duration of illness for both sexes worked
out at 35.5 months, the difference between the males and females
being 5.6 months. In the children the average duration was 15.3
months. A larger series of cases will in time give more reliable
d!ata.
Family History.—In 31 instances among the 76 deaths alluded
to above, there was a history that some near relative was suffering
from or had died of Tuberculosis—15 males, 9 females, 7 children.
Treatment.—Eighty per cent, of the patients in regular
attendance at the Dispensary received or are receiving specific treatment—tuberculin,
sodium morrhuate, Raw's vaccine, etc., but it is
much too early to speak about results. Careful watch, however, is
being maintained, and will form the subject of other reports.
Sanatorium Treatment.—During the year 118 patients were
referred to sanatoria and 18 to the infirmary. Of the sanatorium
patients, one was admitted for the second time. The average