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91
Report of Tuberculosis Officer—continued.
The number of child contacts of these notified cases is again
much smaller than the number of adult contacts—approximately
in 1938 only 30 per cent.
In addition to the number of "contacts" as defined by
the Ministry of Health who were found to be suffering from
tuberculosis during the year, 18 other cases diagnosed had been
living in contact with previously notified cases who had positive
sputum.
Particular effort is directed to try to get young adult contacts
to attend. 153 of the attenders were sent by staff.
Insured Persons. The number of insured persons on the
Dispensary Register at the end of the year was 256, of whom 146
were on domiciliary treatment. The number of reports from
panel doctors in respect of patients on domiciliary treatment
was 30. Doctors are not asked to furnish a quarterly report if
patient attends dispensary about time report falls due.
127 reports on " Z " cards were made to doctors regarding
panel patients. In addition, numerous letters were written to
doctors and hospitals about patients.
Consultations with medical practitioners. The number of
consultations between practitioners and the Tuberculosis Officer
was further increased to 253. In many cases the practitioner does
not meet the Tuberculosis Officer, but asks the latter to examine
the patient and let him know his opinion later. The Ministry
of Health limits the term " Personal Consultations" to those
cases in which the practitioner attends and consults with the
Tuberculosis Officer at the patient's bedside, of these there
were 16.
Doctors are furnished with reports on cases they send for
examination and also on the condition on discharge of patients
who have been sent for Institutional treatment.