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86
Report of Tuberculosis Officei—continued
Notes on Tables of Notifications.
The case of non-pulmonary disease learned of from the Death
Returns was one in which the doctor in attendance believed the
case to have been previously notified. Four of the five cases
learned of from the Death Returns were transferable deaths, not in
the Borough, and one a post-mortem diagnosis.
Of the cases of non-pulmonary disease notified after death, one
was a case of meningitis and one a case of hip disease, notified
from hospital.
In one case notified as suffering from non-pulmonary disease the
diagnosis was not confirmed subsequently. Similarly, in six of
the cases notified as suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis diagnosis
was not confirmed.
22 of the pulmonary cases died before the end of the year.
8 died within one month of notification.
6 „ „ two months „
2 „ „ three „ „
Most of these were cases of acute disease or cases notified from
hospital.
Explanations have been requested from notifying doctors where
patients have died very soon after notification, or from doctors
certifying causes of death where patients died un-notified. Of
35 cases who transferred into the Borough during the year 23 were
seen and formally notified.
It is unsatisfactory from the preventive aspect that a proportion
of cases die un-notified in an area, or notified only a short time
before death. Some patients with chronic disease who transfer
from one area to another do not wish to attend the Dispensary, and
even dislike being visited. If they think they know how to look
after themselves a doctor may not be called in till near death. The
Supplemental Return may include deaths of persons who have not
really resided in the area for years, such as. mental hospital cases.
Also lodging-house residents, who move frequently from one area
to another, may not be known of in the area in which they die until
they enter hospital, when very ill, although they may have been
notified previously in some other area.