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41
The duty of transmitting to the County Medical Officer of
Health weekly lists of cases notified is now imposed not merely
on the Medical Officers of Health of Metropolitan Boroughs, but
also on the Medical Officers of Health of all urban and rural
districts.
The notification form has been extended to include the usual
place of residence and the occupation of the patient.
Fees for notification are not payable to practitioners notifying
in their capacity of Medical Officers of Health, Tuberculosis
Officers, School Medical Officers, or Medical Officers of approved
Sanatoria.
The National Insurance Act and the Finance Act of 1911
should prove powerful auxiliaries in the campaign against Tuberculosis.
It was really the passage of these two Acts which
enhanced the value of compulsory notificat'on. A knowledge of
the disease would not have been of much value if the means of
prevention and treatment were absent. A capital sum of about
£1, 116,000 is granted from the Exchequer towards the erection
of sanatoria and other institutions for the treatment of Tuberculosis
in England, and by the Xational Insurance Act a sum of
is. 3d. per annum for each insured person is made available
for the treatment of insured persons, or, in certain circumstances,
of their dependents, in institutions or otherwise.
As some misapprehension exists as to the duties of the
different authorities, it may be remarked that " Sanatorium
benefit " is not limited to treatment at a Sanatorium, but consists
of treatment given at the cost of the National Health Insurance
Fund to persons suffering from Tuberculosis ^the chief form of
which disease is Consumption) or such other diseases as the Local
Government Board, with the approval of the Treasury, may
appoint. For the time being the benefit is confined to the treatment
of Tuberculosis. Treatment for purposes of Sanatorium
benefit may be given :—
(a) In Sanatoria, Hospitals, or other residential institutions.
(b) At Tuberculosis Dispensaries or other non-residential
institutions, or in the patient's home.