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25
Compulsory Notification and Practical Reforms.
The Public Health and Housing Committee considered a letter from
the St. Marylebone Board of Guardians, expressing the opinion that the
following policy is the one most likely, at present, to bring about good
results in the fight against lung tuberculosis:—
"I. Ideal aims for the whole nation.
(a) Compulsory notification of all cases in England, and
until this can be obtained, compulsory notification of cases
in Hospitals and Dispensaries.
(b) Compulsory removal and detention of cases, when,
owing to neglected condition and the state of the disease,
they constitute a danger to the community, unless the spread
of the disease can be prevented at home.
II. Practical reforms which could be begun at once.
(a) The establishment in every Infirmary of special wards
(where non-existent) for phthisis.
(b) The formation, in connection with the Health Committees
in every Borough, of a body of visitors, either
voluntary or paid, who shall disseminate literature and
preach unceasingly the need of cleanliness and fresh air.
(c) That the Local Government Board be invited to set
apart any Institutions, with suitable land attached, to which
patients might be sent from the various Infirmaries when
they are sufficiently recovered to undertake any light work,
under medical supervision, but are not well enough to
return home and enter the labour market."
At present there is compulsory notification of pulmonary tuberculosis
only in the cases of inmates of Poor Law Institutions or of persons in
receipt of Poor Law relief or medical relief.
The Committee were of opinion the adoption of the proposals of the
St. Marylebone Board of Guardians is desirable, and recommended the
Council to concur in this opinion, and the Local Government Board be
so informed.
Tuberculous Milk.
London County Council (Generals Powers) Bill, 1910, see page 141.