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183 males and 186 females in the second, i.e., by 14 per cent. in both
cases. When one examines the 15-34 age period, however, it is
observed that the number of notified males has fallen by 27 per cent.,
whilst the female number is only 10 per cent. less. The fact that the
incidence of tuberculosis of the lungs in young females remains at such
a high level throughout the Country is a matter for great concern. The
dangers of contact with an "open" case of tuberculosis may be conclusively
demonstrated by a scrutiny of the patients' histories.
Particularly does this apply to young females. The premonitory
symptoms are: vague ill-health and tiredness, poor appetite and loss of
weight, with, perhaps, very frequent colds, and later, a persistent
cough. Those who employ young females, whether as domestic
servants or in shops or offices, should be warned by such symptoms
and should insist that medical advice be sought immediately. Employers
could also perform a valuable service by insisting on a Medical
Certificate of fitness in the case of every young person whom they are
about to employ; such a certificate is, in fact, required by law in the
case of employment of young persons in factories. The services of
the Borough Tuberculosis Officer are always available in all cases in
which tuberculosis is suspected.
The Tuberculosis Dispensary.
The Tuberculosis Dispensary has an unfortunate name. It is
neither a Dispensary, nor does it cater solely for the tuberculous. Of
the patients who attend there for investigation, but a small percentage
ultimately prove to be tuberculous. The aim of a Tuberculosis Service
is prevention as well as cure, and to detect the early case those responsible
must be prepared to examine anyone in whom there is even the
vaguest suspicion of tuberculosis. These functions of the Tuberculosis
Dispensary cannot be made too widely known.
In addition, it should be emphasised that the detection of early
tuberculosis is often no easy matter. It demands skilled examination
by one accustomed to such work as well as expert radiological and
other investigations. For those patients who dislike the idea of visit
ing the "Tuberculosis Dispensary" arrangements can always be made
for them to be seen at home. It is to be deplored that so few patients
come for examination when their disease is in an early stale. The
solution lies in greater co-operation between the Public, the Medical
Practitioner and the Tuberculosis Service. It is also high time that the
Dispensary were given a more appropriate name.