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Three eases which can only be described as pre-tubercular
pulmonary condition, as the disease cannot be discovered, while
yet a constant observation of the individual cases and a process
of elimination makes the diagnosis probable.
In one only of these cases, and that a pre-tubercular case,
was there any tubercular disease in the mother.
All suspicious cases are sent for confirmation of diagnosis
to the Tuberculosis Medical Officer.
Syphilis.—This disease is not infrequent, and is usually
diagnosed clinically and treated from the Centre. This is not
ideal, but the whole question is fraught with difficulty from the
point of view of mother and doctor. An attempt was made
over a long period of time to have the diagnosis ratified by the
Wassermann test at the nearest available hospital, but the results
so seldom tallied with the clinical picture and the facts that it
was discontinued, e.g.:—
Infant (syphilic diagnosis at Centre).
Mother apparently healthy.
Father under treatment for Syphilis.
At Hospital clinic:—
Mother and child sent for Wassermann test.
Report in each case negative.
Then with regard to treatment:—Before a mother will attend
hospital she must be convinced that the child is ill. If this
is not obvious to her, which is by no means always the case, then
the only alternative is to convince her by a full statement of fact
with regard to Syphilis. This can be done, but it more frequently
results in a, domestic upheaval than in anti-syphilitic treatment
for mother or father or child.
There has been a marked enlightenment with regard to
venereal diseases in the last two years, and the position will
doubtless improve, but in the meantime perhaps the best thing
that can be done is treatment from the Centre.
Health or 1828 Children.
Normal children 1,213
Incorrect feeding and management 441
Rickets 76
Wasting 58
Syphilis 40