View report page

43
Of the 17, 7 are now working, 2 are improved, in 3 the disease is arrested, 1 is
not improved, and 1 is worse. Three have not yet returned.
Five of the patients were discharged at their own request, and of these 2 are
working, 1 is improved, 1 not improved, and 1 worse.
Bacteriological Diagnosis of Consumption.—Again in 1914 as in the previous
year an increase in the number of specimens of expectoration sent by medical men
for bacteriological examination, from cases in which there was some doubt as to the
diagnosis, is to be noted.
The total number was 859 as against 672 in 1913. Of these, 173 were found to
contain the bacillus of consumption, while the remainder were free.
Work of the Women Inspectors.—The total number of cases seen by the women
inspectors was 1,227, 578 of which were new cases. Fifty-six of the patients seen
were removed to hospital, 171 were insured persons and of these 54 went to a
sanatorium.
Disinfection of premises was carried out in 162 instances.
Non-Pulmonary Tuberculosis.—The great bulk of the total notifications—78
asagainst 154 in 1913—in the case of this form of tuberculosis came from institutions
where the patients were undergoing treatment. Visits were paid to the homes and,
where necessary, advice with regard to the obtaining of treatment was offered.
Particulars as to the parts affected by the disease will be found in the table on
page 38.
SYPHILIS.
Although no deaths were actually certified as directly due to this disease
during the year, the number that resulted indirectly from it must have been
considerable. The victims in this group were many of them infants and young
children. These died, having inherited the infection. A large percentage died of the
sequels of the acquired infection.
Many of the sequels appeared because the disease was neglected in the early
stages. Considerable numbers of the children who died from inherited syphilis were
infected because the parent did not seek proper advice and did not submit to full
and proper treatment.
Recognizing that not only did this disease contribute largely to the death-rate,
but that it was a very serious cause of sickness, the Public Health Committee
towards the end of 1913 determined that it was their duty to see if anything could
be done in the way of prevention.
The conclusion arrived at after discussion at a number of meetings was that the
first step was to find out, if possible, the extent of the problem. To do so by means
of notification in the ordinary way was regarded as difficult and impracticable, if not
impossible, and it was finally decided to adopt in relation to syphilis a method which
had given excellent results a number of years ago in connection with consumption.