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69
statistical tables which are presented at the end of the report show
very little difference from those of 1930. Under the circumstances
it is unnecessary to make any lengthy reference to them, but there
are certain points which I think are worthy of mention.
(1). New Cases.—The number of these is still rather high
considering the population of the area which is served by the Dispensary,
but it will be noted that a large proportion are found to
be not suffering from tuberculosis. This cannot be taken to imply
that patients are referred for examination unnecessarily, because it
is, in my opinion, one of the most important duties of the Tuberculosis
Officer to weed out persons in whom suspicious symptoms arise
which symptoms can on investigation be proved to be due to causes
other than tuberculosis. Also, it will be obvious that it is in this
manner that the problem of securing patients in the earliest stages
of the disease is most likely to be solved. The number of new
cases sent up by practitioners has again shown a most gratifying
increase, and is an evidence of their desire to co-operate with the
department, which is greatly appreciated. The actual number of
persons found during the year to be suffering from tuberculosis was
68, compared with 84 in 1930. Of these, 15 had moved into this
area from other boroughs, and though they must be included as
new cases in view of the fact that they attended for the first time
during the year and will in future be on our books, they have in
many instances been ill for several years before coming under supervision
here. In addition, as I pointed out last year, the Ministry
of Health require that persons living in the area who are admitted
to public institutions for the treatment of tuberculosis shall be
placed on the Dispensary Register even if they have never been seen
by the Tuberculosis Officer. Such cases numbered 11 during 1931.
(2). Contacts.—These are persons seen because they have been
livingin contact with a person ill with tuberculosis, and are examined
as a preventive and precautionary measure. Their number is
again most satisfactory, and reflects great credit on the Health
Visitors, to whom in the main falls the duty of securing their
attendance. The percentage of these proved to be suffering from
tuberculosis is small, but this in no way detracts from the value of