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95
Comments on Table I.
Item A.-547 new cases (other than contacts) attended during the
year for examination. In addition to these, 161 cases (other than
contacts) who were examined in previous years and discharged as nontuberculous,
Presented themselves for re-examination during the year
with a roccurence of symptoms, and were, in accordance with the instructions
in the Minister of Health's Memorandum 37/T. Revised, grouped
as new cases under Item A on Table I.
Of this total number of 708 new cases (excluding contacts), 171 were
found to be suffering from Tuberculosis.
Item B.-366 new contacts attended during the year for examination.
In addition to these, 104 contacts who were examined in previous years
and discharged as non-tuberculous, presented themselves for re-examination
during the year with suspicious symptoms, and were similarly
grouped as new cases under item B on Table I.
Of this total number of 470 new contacts, 19 were found to be
tuberculous.
On this figures an incidence of tuberculosis is revealed of roughly
24 per cent. among non-contacts and of 4 per cent. among contacts. It
should be pointed out, however, that the majority of the 366 contacts
attending for the first time came up for examination purely as contacts—
that is to say, they were free from symptoms. Now the whole of the 708
new cases (excluding contacts) attended for examination on account of
suspicious symptoms. Therefore, for purposes of comparison, it would be
truer to compare the group of contacts presenting definite symptoms,
namely, 104, with the 708 non-contacts. When this is done the figures
are roughly 24 Per cent. tuberculous among non-contacts and 18 per
cent. among contacts.
Both new cases (excluding contacts) and contacts attending for
examination again show an increase over the preceding year.