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51
Difficulty still occurs in keeping in touch with the common lodginghouse
and casual type of consumptive; they are only notified when
inmates of an infirmary and on leaving. It is almost impossible to find
them at the addresses they give as their proposed destination, as such
addresses are usually false; many of them, however, decline to give any
address. I think the Superintendents of Poor Law Institutions should
be required to notify the discharge in all cases whether an address is
given or not.
Through the courtesy of the Medical Officers, I have ascertained that
at the end of the year, 127 persons suffering from consumption were
inmates of the Poor Law Institutions connected with the City.
During 1909 there was considerable delay in sending in accounts;
but this has been got over by sending a card of reminder at the end of
each quarter.
Arrangements have been made with the Health Society, who have
appointed a special visitor for the purpose, to keep in close touch with
persons notified voluntarily or compulsorily who are living at home.
At the end of 1910,251 persons suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis
were under supervision, 126 suspected or doubtful cases, and 29
persons suffering from other forms, making a total of 406 persons, of
whom 143 are in the North part of the City, and 263 in the South,
In previous reports I have given particulars of a scheme which was
being framed to carry out the essential objects and methods of the
system which has been devised and gradually built up in Edinburgh by
Dr. Philip.
This scheme demands:—
(1) A special department of public health activity devoted to the
handling of tuberculosis in all its manifestations.
(2) A sanatorium for selected patients—(a) for education; (b) for
prolonged treatment.
(3) A hospital or asylum for advanced cases.
(4) Means by which suitable employment can be found for patients
in whom the disease is arrested.
In Edinburgh most of these objects have been attained:—
A special centre has been formed and has become the uniting point
of all the other agencies, besides being the office in which all information
and records are kept, and where enquiries are attended to on all
matters connected with Phthisis; it includes a Dispensary where
patients can be examined and treated by the staff of physicians, and
instructions given how to prevent or minimise the risk of infection to
others. Medicines, disinfectants, and sputum bottles are supplied, and
where the patient's condition warrants it food-stuffs and the like are given.
Patients are subsequently visited at their own homes, by one of the