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It will be noted that there were 89 fewer notifications of tuberculosis in 1924 than in the
preceding year; indeed, the number of notifications in 1924 was less than in any year since the
introduction of notification.
In view of the efforts made by the Council during the past four years to secure notification of
all cases, the above table must be regarded as evidence that the disease is becoming less prevalent.
Medical practitioners are reporting cases at an earlier stage of the disease than was the case
several years ago, but the following figures show that some improvement in this respect is still
desirable in order that the Council's machinery for the prevention of the spread of infection may
be put into operation at the earliest possible moment:—
(1) No. of deaths in Kensington from all forms of tuberculosis in 1924 149
(2) No. of persons dying unnotified or notified at death 30
(3) No. notified within one month of death 11
(4) No. notified within three months of death (excluding those under heading 3) 10
(5) No. notified within six months of death (excluding those under headings 3 and 4) 11
During the course of the year the Council took proceedings against a medical practitioner in
respect of his failure to notify a case of tuberculosis, and a fine of £5 and 10s. 6d. costs was
imposed.
Late notification is not necessarily due to delay on the part of the family doctor, for in only
too many cases the patients unfortunately do not consult a medical man until the disease is well
advanced.

From the above table it will be seen that the disease commonly attacks people at the period of
their maximum value to the home, the family and the nation. Apart from causing deaths of
persons in the prime of life, it handicaps many by reducing their working capacity for several years
before death. It is, therefore, of great economic and hygienic importance that the notification rate
and the death rate of this disease are declining rapidly.