View report page

36
In previous reports the manner in which this point was reached has been fully
described, and it is not proposed to refer to it again at length here.
In the accompanying Table the number of cases notified each year since 1906
is shown, as well as the source of the notifications and the system under which they
were made. The non-pulmonary form, it may be noted, was not notifiable until 1913,
the table, therefore, shews no reference to cases prior to that year. The fact that the
number of pulmonary cases has fallen since 1912 probably means merely that in that
year and 1913 cases that had been recognized but not notified under systems
previously in force were brought in as a result of the introduction of the compulsory
notification. It may mean of course that there is some diminution in the actual
number of cases, but though it is possible that there is diminution, it is doubtful if it
has been to the extent which the drop in numbers shown in the table would suggest.

A further table with regard to notifications is printed below. This has been
prepared for the Local Government Board and shows the numbers of cases notified
on each of the different forms prescribed in the Regulations of 1912.
A note with regard to each of the forms was made in the report for 1913, and it
is unnecessary to add anything to what was said then.
The total number of cases found amongst school children, it will be seen, was 4.
In 1913 the figure was 17. The exact signification of the figure and of the fall cannot
be judged, since no information is given as to the total number of children examined.
The fact that the pulmonary form of tuberculosis is believed to be rare in children
may, however, be noted, and the statement that these figures seem to support this
view may be made.
*Compulsory 1st January, 1909. †Uniformly compulsory January, 1912.
**Compulsory in May, 1911, for Hospital cases. ††Uniformly compulsory for Tuberculosis 1st
February, 1913.