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175
to keep these persons under some general supervision until they
reach that age, even when the source of infection is removed by
death or otherwise.
Up to the age of five this is exercised in general under the
Infant Welfare Scheme, reports on progress and special features
of individual cases being exchanged between the Departments.
These patients are not encouraged to attend the Dispensary except
when this is considered desirable by the Maternity and Child Welfare
Medical Officer.
Between the ages of 5 and 14 supervision is exercised through
the School Medical Service, annual routine reports on progress being
forwarded by the School Medical Officer, and at other times if the
School Medical Officer considers a particular reference to the
Dispensary desirable. Reports on the condition of those cases
which have been examined in the Dispensary are supplied to the
School Medical Officer. These cases are encouraged to attend at
the Dispensary at least once in order that an X-ray picture should
be available in case this is later required, and in order that the
Tuberculosis Officer should be better able to maintain touch with
the child after leaving school.
Over the age of 14 and up to the age of 25, when the danger
of the development of the disease is greatest, these persons are
urged to attend at the Dispensary for routine clinical and X-ray
examination at intervals of 12 months or two years, and more
frequently if the general health is not satisfactory, or if suspicious
symptoms arise.
Throughout all these periods attempts are made where
necessary to maintain the highest standards of general health
by arranging periods of convalescence, providing grants of extra
nourishment and other means that may be possible in individual
cases.
The following table shows the total numbers on the contact
register at the several age periods and the number of these who
have attended at the Dispensary during the year 1937. This table
reflects the great difficulty that is experienced in securing supervision
for the young adults, although parents are often anxious to