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56
THE NOTIFICATION OF CONSUMPTION (PULMONARY
TUBERCULOSIS).
Consumption.—The scheme for the voluntary notification of consumption—a
disease which is the cause of more suffering and death than the whole of the
compulsory notifiable infectious diseases—came into operation at the beginning
of 1906. Local Authorities have power to put into operation a scheme of this
character without the consent of the Local Government Board, and to pay a'
reasonable fee for each notification. The Borough Council decided to pay to
each medical practitioner the same fee as is allowed for notifications under the
Infectious Diseases Clauses of the Public Health Act, namely, two shillings and
sixpence if the case occurs in his private capacity, and one shilling if the case
occurs in his practice as medical officer of any public body or institution. Each
notification received is treated as confidential, and nothing is done to prejudice
the patient's occupation or employment. Advice papers are sent in all cases
notified.
By an Order dated the 18th December, 1908, the Local Government Board,
in pursuance of Section 130 of the Public Health Act, 1875, as amended and
extended by the Public Health (London) Actt 1891, and the Public Health
Act, 1896, have provided for the notification to the medical officers of health
of sanitary authorities of cases of pulmonary tuberculosis (phthisis or consumption)
occurring amongst the inmates of Poor Law Institutions, or amongst
persons under the care of district (Poor Law) medical officers.
The Order came into operation on the 1st January, 1909. The most important
provisions of the Order are as follows :—
By Article IV. the medical officer of a Poor Law Institution must,
within forty-eight hours of recognising symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis
in the case of a poor person who is an inmate of the Institution,
notify the case to the medical officer of health of the sanitary district in
which the person resided immediately before he became an inmate of the
Institution.
Article V. directs similar notification to be made in cases where a
district medical officer recognises the disease in persons attended by him
(i.e., out-relief patients), according to his agreement with the Guardians.
Under Article VI. the superintending officer of a Poor Law Institution
must notify the medical officer of health of the actual or intended
place of destination and address at that place of any person leaving the
institution in respect of whom a notification has been received.
Article VII. directs that a relieving officer must notify changes of
patients' addresses to the medical officer of health of the district to which
such person may move.
By Article VIII. notifications directed under the Order are to be
paid for by the sanitary authority.
The remuneration allowed to medical officers of a Poor Law Institution
or a district medical officer will be at the rate of one shilling for