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138
of Local Authorities, including greatly improved sanitary administration
and the treatment of the sick under more satisfactory conditions,
ft is impossible to estimate precisely the influence of these causes on
the diminution of the death-rate, but there can be no doubt that they
have been powerful factors in bringing about the reduction.
With the information obtained by means of general notification,
Local Authorities will be able to take action in individual cases with
a view to preventing the spread of infection or removing conditions
favourable to infection.
The Board have, by the Order, given a general power to the Local
Authority, on the advice of their Medical Officer of Health, to supply
such medical assistance, facilities, and articles as may be necessary
for detecting Pulmonary Tuberculosis, for preventing the spread of
infection, and for removing conditions favourable to infection. The
Local Authority are also empowered to appoint any necessary additional
officers.
The financial aspect of the problem has been considerably
altered by proposals which have recently been laid before Parliament.
Under the Finance and National Insurance Bills it is proposed that a
capital sum of one and a half million pounds shall be made available
for grants for the provision of sanatoria and other institutions. The
National Insurance Bill also makes provision for defraying expenses
of sanatorium treatment of insured persons, and it is proposed in
certain circumstances to enable this treatment to be given to the
dependent^ of the insured.
It is, of course, unnecessary and undesirable that notification
should involve publicity. The Local Government Board suggests that
Local Authorities and their Officers should avoid doing anything which
would cause pain or annoyance to patients or their friends.
By Article XIII of the Regulations nothing in these Regulations
shall have effect so as to apply, or so as to authorise or require a