London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Holborn 1901

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Holborn, Metropolitan Borough]

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On removal or death give notice to the Public Health Department, as the room and its
contents should be thoroughly disinfected—this is done by the Council free of cost.
The Medical Officer cf Health will be glad to have information of any case of Consumption,
and, with the consent of the doctor in attendance, to give any advice or assistance.
As the British Congress on Tuberculosis was to meet in July, further action was adjourned till
after the Congress, to which Councillors Prof. W. R. Smith, M.D., J.P., Walter R. Aldridge, the
Rev. .Edward Canney and myself were appointed delegates.
RESOLUTIONS PASSED AT THE FINAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE BRITISH CONGRESS ON
TUBERCULOSIS, ON FRIDAY, JULY 27, 1901.
1. That tuberculous sputum is the main agent for the conveyance of the virus of tuberculosis
from man to man, and that indiscriminate spitting should therefore be suppressed.
2. That it is the opinion of this Congress that all public hospitals and dispensaries should
present every patient suffering from phthisis with a leaflet containing instructions with regard to the
prevention of consumption, and should supply and insist on the proper use of a pocket-spittoon.
3. That the voluntary notification of cases of phthisis attended with tuberculous expectoration,
and the increased preventive action which it has rendered practicable, has been attended by a
promising measure of success, and that the extension of notification should be encouraged in all
districts in which efficient sanitary administration renders it possible to adopt the consequential
measures.
4. That the provision of sanatoria is an indispensable part of the measures necessary for the
diminution of tuberculosis.
5. That in the opinion of this Congress and in the light of the work that has been presented
at its sittings, Medical Officers of Health should continue to use all the powers at their disposal, and
relax no effort to prevent the spread of tuberculosis by milk and meat.
6. That, in view of the doubts thrown on the identity of human and bovine tuberculosis, it is
expedient that the Government be approached and requested to institute an immediate enquiry into
this question, which is of vital importance to the public health, and of great consequence to the
agricultural industry.
7. That the educational work of the great national societies for the prevention of tuberculosis
is deserving of every encouragement and support. It is through their agency that a rational public
opinion may be formed, the duties of public health officers made easier of performance, and such local
and State legislation as may be requisite called into existence.
8. That this Congress is of opinion that a permanent international committee should be
appointed (a) to collect evidence and report on the measures that have been adopted for the prevention
of tuberculosis in different countries; (b) to publish a popular statement of these measures; (c) to
keep and publish periodically a record of scientific research in relation to tuberculosis; (d) to consider
and recommend measures of prevention. This Congress is further of opinion that all international
and great national societies whose object is the prevention of tuberculosis should be invited to
co-operate.
9. That in the opinion of this Congress, overcrowding, defective ventilation, damp and general
insanitary conditions in the houses of the working classes, diminish the chance of curing Consumption
and aid in predisposing to and spreading the disease.
10. That the following question be submitted for the consideration of the next Congress on
Tuberculosis: The constitutional conditions of the individual which predispose to tuberculosis, and the
means by which they may be modified.