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leaves the doctor with the assurance that directly the so-called cure has been proved
to be of some use and sufficient of it can be obtained he shall be treated with it. The
cure for the advanced and rapidly advancing cases of consumption has yet to be found.
For the early case the general opinion may be accepted that the present method of
treatment at sanatoria is based on sound and correct principles. Not only is it capable
of slowing down and even stopping the disease, but it trains and educates the patient
as to his future, and shows him the way in which he should conduct his life in order
to live healthily at his work and in his home. Unfortunately there are those who,
having had the sanatorium treatment and training, lack stability and strength of
character sufficient to encourage them to continue the battle against the invasion of
the tubercle bacillus, and who, as a result, gradually fall back into a condition worse
than before. These are most unsatisfactory cases to deal with. A case in point was
a young lad of 19 who, having benefited under treatment, was able to do a certain
amount of work. Seen on his return from the sanatorium, he was told that the work
he was doing was sufficient exercise for the day, and that he should rest quietly at
home in the evening. In an injured tone of voice he asked, 'What about my
recreation? and was told that, having regard to the fact that his recreation was the
picture-houses or, worse still, public-houses, he should give it up. This he refused to
do, and, almost needless to say, he quickly broke down and in a comparatively short
time paid the final penalty. So much depends on the patient's own efforts for his
health that it is heart-breaking when he is quite indifferent to all that has been done
and is being done for him: particularly as it generally happens in these cases that
the patient is only too ready to blame everybody but himself."
Bacteriological Diagnosis of Consumption.—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, was 498 as against 426 in 1921. Of
these, 117 were found to contain the bacillus of consumption, while the remainder
were free.
Non-Pulmonary Tuberculosis.—The great bulk of the total notifications—24
as against 37 in 1921—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 58.