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62
There have been 317 removals this year, so that although
the population has on the whole grown, the number of persons on
the Tuberculosis Register has declined from 990 to 737.
AFTER-CARE.
Tuberculosis in the great majority of instances is a curable
infection provided the patient is seen sufficiently early, undergoes
sanatorium treatment and subsequently is able to pass his life
under reasonably hygienic conditions.
It is with regard to the latter that the activities of the After-care
Association in this district particularly exist, consisting inter alia
in providing special splints, clothing, boots, nourishment, etc.,
for necessitous cases and in obtaining, if possible, suitable homes
and employment for the tuberculous.
ASBESTOSIS.
During the year 1929 research has been continued into the
question of fibrosis of the lungs due to the inhalation of particles
of asbestos.
In June 1929 an interim report was circulated to members
of the Council at the request of the Juvenile Employment SubCommittee.
In this interim report a table was given, showing
that of nineteen cases of persons suffering from some pulmonary
disability and who had been exposed to asbestos dust, there was
sufficient evidence to warrant a diagnosis of asbestosis in eight,
no sufficient evidence to warrant a then present diagnosis in nine,
whilst there were two cases at the time in question awaiting further
examination.
The same report included five conclusions, which in my opinion
had been established up to that time, viz. :—
(1) That people working in asbestos factories inhale asbestos
dust, which can be found in the substance of the lung
proper and in the sputum which is exuded from the bronchi
of the lungs.