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24
ADMIINSTRATIVE CONTROL OF PULMONARY
PHTHISIS.
Under this heading, the Local Government Board for Scotland, under
date 10th March, addressed a Circular to Local Authorities :—
Pulmonary phthisis (consumption) is stated to be "an infectious
disease within the meaning of the Public Health (Scotland) Act, 1897."
" The cardinal fact is that the infection of pulmonary phthisis passes from
one person, directly or indirectly, to some other person. Accordingly, the
sections of the Public Health Act applicable to other infectious diseases
are equally applicable to pulmonary phthisis, and the obligation resting on
the Local Authority to deal with and control infectious disease, extends to
consumption."
Disinfection.—" The provisions of the Statute with regard to disinfection
are available in dealing with pulmonary phthisis, and it is the duty of
the Local Authority to secure that, whenever necessary, these provisions
are enforced. . . . Not only the homes but also the workshops or other
places where consumptives have been employed, should be carefully and
thoroughly disinfected." The work should be done by the officers of the
Local Authority.
Isolation and Treatment.—" The provisions of the Public Health Act
as to the removal of cases of infectious disease to hospital, and as to the
provision of hospitals,'' are stated to be "available for dealing with cases
of pulmonary phthisis as with cases of other infectious diseases." "In
structure, Sanatoria may be of the simplest and cheapest form"—costing,
say, £90 per bed. The need of isolation of advanced cases is emphasised.
"For this purpose vacant wards of an infectious disease hospital may be
utilised."
Dispensaries for consumption are recommended "where the number
of phthisical patients is large." "On the continent, notably in France
and Germany, dispensaries have been of immense value in the discovery
of insanitary conditions, and in the organisation of nursing service."
Notification.—"For the effective application of the Public Health Act
to pulmonary phthisis, a system of notification is essential." "It is open
to the Local Authority, with the approval of the Board, to add pulmonary
phthisis to the list of (notifiable) diseases," and the Board "will be