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39
The medical inspection of school children will, it is hoped,
secure the detection of previously unrecognised cases among school
children. Two of the seven cases treated at the Sanatorium last
year were detected in the course of the medical inspection of School
Children.
Voluntary notification of cases of Consumption has been in
force in the district since June, 1903, the sum of 2/6 being paid for
each case notified. It cannot be said that the system has been a
success, as in addition to the ten patients for whom application was
made for admission to the Sanatorium, only three notifications were
received. 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 a source 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.
In no instance are the enquiries made as to prevent the patient from
continuing to earn his livelihood. Our duty ends when advice has
been tendered as to the precautions to be taken. Very seldom is
our offer to disinfect the premises after a death refused. Last year,
with 4 exceptions, all the premises where a death from Phthisis
occurred were disinfected.
One hundred and seventy-four deaths under 1 year of age were
registered in the district, and 14 infants under 1 year of age died in
public institutions beyond the district, making a total of 188. This
latter figure corresponds to an infantile mortality of 120 per 1,000
births
The infantile mortality in England and Wales last year was 121;
in the 76 large towns it amounted to 128; and in the 142 smaller
towns it was 124 ;
INFANTILE MORTALITY.