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19
Infirmary suffering from the disease, so that disinfection may be
carried out immediately after removal.
Of the 17 instances in which there was no family history of the
disease, in 5 there had been a definite exposure to infection. Three
had nursed consumptive patients, and in the fourth, the husband probably
contracted the disease from his wife, as the latter had died from
the disease 3 years previously.
In two instances no information could be obtained, and in ten
no definite history of exposure could be ascertained, but in six of the
latter, their employment constantly exposed them to infection. Three
were employed in laundries—two females and one male. Although
laundresses do not appear to suffer excessively from Consumption,
yet the sorting of the linen which may contain dried infective sputum
must expose them to the risk of infection. (At the Census in Acton,
15 per cent. of the female population over the age of ten years were
employed in laundry work; last year 16 per cent. of the deaths from
Consumption in females over ten years of age, occurred amongst
laundresses).
There are two methods by which Tubercle may be prevented;
the first aims at strengthening the natural immunity of the race, and
the second endeavours to limit the spread of infection.
Although all sanitary efforts tend towards the first object, the
special arrangements made by the Council have been directed for the
most part with the object of limiting the spread of infection. To
attain this end the first essential is accurate information as to the distribution
of the disease, and to gain this information the Council
adopted the principle of voluntary notification in June, 1903, the sum
of 2S. 6d. being paid for each case notified. The result has been far
from satisfactory, and only six notifications were received during the
year. The want of success is probably due to the impression that
notification would have a prejudicial effect on the individual suffering
from the disease. It is admitted that it is not absolutely necessary
to notify all cases of Consumption, but where owing to domestic conditions
the patients are sources of danger to the people in contact
with them, it is essential the cases should be notified so that instructions
may be given and precautions taken.