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because the members of the profession were less anxious to help, but because they
had previously notified the cases with which they were well acquainted, and with
regard to which they considered it necessary or were permitted to make a report.
The figures with regard to voluntary notification, when compared with those
relating to compulsory notification, are evidence of the value of the voluntary form.
They are, further, evidence of the wisdom of the Council in agreeing in 1906 to adopt
it, and of the loyal way in which the medical profession has assisted the Council.
Sanatorium Benefit.—The provisions of the National Insurance Act, 1911,
relating to sanatorium benefit, took effect on 14th July, 1912.
Despite the fact that the Insurance Committee for London was the body to
which the working of this benefit was delegated, a large amount of work had to be
done locally, and with the object of getting it done a local sub-committee was created.
This was temporary in character and contained amongst others the Chairman of the
Public Health Committee, representing the Council, and ex-officio, the Medical
Officer of Health. After its formation the Committee met two or three times under
the Chairmanship of Mr. Alderman Debenham. At the first meeting it was resolved
that the Medical Officer of Health be requested to prepare a report with regard to a
certain number of points in connection with the administration of the benefit.
The preparation of this report involved a great amount of work and the
expenditure of a considerable amount of time.
The chief suggestion which it contained was that if convenience was to be
regarded the bulk of the administration should be done locally, viz., the first selection
of the cases for admission to a sanatorium, and of those for whom other forms of
treatment, such as domiciliary and dispensary, would be suitable.
In addition, and again if convenience was to be regarded, it was suggested that
the exceptional opportunities of the Council's Public Health Department and Medical
Officer of Health should be taken advantage of.
These suggestions were adopted by the Sanatorium Sub-Committee and sent to
the Insurance Committee for London. So far as could be made out, however, they
were acted upon only to the extent that the Council was asked to keep a supply of
forms to be used by applicants for sanatorium benefit, and that the Medical Officer of
Health was given the duty of finding doctors and institutions for those patients
recommended for domiciliary or dispensary treatment.
So far as can be ascertained the number of persons in the Borough who applied
for sanatorium benefit was comparatively small. Up to the end of the year only 29
persons were supplied with forms of application at the Public Health Department,
and the records with regard to treatment in the hands of the Medical Officer of
Health at the end of 1912 related to only 8 persons. Of these, 3 went to a sanatorium,
1 received domiciliary treatment, and 4 were allowed dispensary treatment.
Deaths from Phthisis.—The deaths from consumption numbered 149, a number
considerably lower than that for 1911, viz., 172. The rate per 1,000 was 1.2, as
against 1.4 in 1911.