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165
the School medical authorities and others. Incidentally other diseases
such as rheumatism, heart disetse and ring worm have been found and
appropriately dealt with, so that the examination of contacts has a useful
sphere apart from discovery of Tuberculosis. To detect the disease in
doubtful cases use is made of the taking of systematic temperatures for
several days, the subcutaneous injection of test doses of tuberculin, and
in children the use of Von Pirquet's skin reaction to tuberculin. Shortly
it is intended to make an arrangement whereby X rays can be applied
where it would seem an additional assistance in diagnosis. The sputum
of cases in which no report has been obtained is also forwarded for
microscopical examination to the Borough bacteriologist.
In last year's report I stated that the patients who were sent to
training colonies had not turned out very successful, and I regret to have
to report the same in 1921; few of them stay their full time, and I
cannot record one whose training has led to permanent employment.
This result is due to the town dweller taking badly to country life, in
some cases to the fact that the men are lacking in will-power to start
afresh in life, and in others to their objection to having to commence
learning at the beginning, expecting to attain capability in too short a
time and without effort.
There is still a great want for further accommodation for advanced
cases, particularly the non-insured and those whose circumstances or
age precluded them from admission into the army, and until the very
infectious and dying cases can be accommodated we still are keeping the
great source of the spread of the disease in our midst.
In conclusion, I must thank my staff for their steady and methodical
work, the staff of the Public Health Department for their co-operation,
and the bacteriological staff of the Council whose work has largely
increased during the last two years; also my appreciation of the way in
which the Public Health Committees have done all they could to check
the ravages of tuberculosis.
I am, Sir and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
HORACE WILSON.
Tuberculosis Officer.