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The corresponding rate for the previous year was 0.98 per 1,000 of population.
It will be noted that, out of a total of 217 deaths from Tuberculosis, 42 (or nearly
20 per cent.) were of cases which either died un-notitied or were notified only at death.
It is not satisfactory that so large a proportion of cases should come to knowledge only
at so late a period.
In 6 instances Meningitis was stated to have been the cause of death, and this form
of Tuberculosis is at times difficult to diagnose.
Tn a certain number of cases some misunderstanding had existed, and the medical
attendant was under the impression that the case had been notified previously. Allowing for
all such cases the percentage of un-notified cases remains unduly high.
In a number of instances notifications were received very soon after the death of the
patient, but these were not accepted, as such notifications do not comply with the regulations.
In all cases of failure to notify, a communication is sent to the certifying practitioner
asking for an explanation of the circumstances under which formal notification was not made.
No case occurred in which it appeared to be desirable to institute proceedings for deliberate or
wilful neglect to comply with the regulations.
Of the 42 cases dying un-notified or notified only at death, 10 occurred in Poor Law
Institutions, 15 in other Institutions or Hospitals, and 17 at home.
The number of cases of Tuberculosis notified and those which came to knowledge by
means of Death Reports and transfers from other Districts are given in the following tables :—