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there have been adult cases of open pulmonary tuberculosis. On
reviewing the history of such children, the records of which have
been kept during the last 15 years, comparatively few develop
undoubted symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis, and when they
do so the course of the disease, in my experience, proceeds rapidly
to a fatal termination. Very few of the latter cases (as compared
with the number suspected) have been recorded during the last
15 years, but in this connection it should be remembered that
Pulmonary Tuberculosis is at its lowest incidence, as judged from
mortality returns, at School ages (5 to 14), and this remark also
applies to the non-pulmonary forms of tuberculosis.
When one considers the percentage of children in Urban areas
which give a positive Von Pirquet or other tuberculin test indicating
an infection with the tubercle bacillus, and the numbers of
children found at post mortem examinations which show signs of
latent or active tubercular lesions, one is obliged to conclude that
many of those infected do not show physical signs of active disease.
In any event, Pulmonary Tuberculosis is not a frequent cause
of death during Elementary School life.
Of the Non-Pulmonary cases 12 had glandular infection and
three of these were excluded from school, and the remaining 9 were
allowed to attend school and at the same time carried out appropriate
treatment
One case of spinal disease is now quiescent and able to attend
school. One case of lupus of the face had "Light" treatment at a
London Hospital and is now apparently cured and back at school.
The two cases of hip-joint disease have had institutional treatment
during the year, one is now at school and the other is still
excluded.
The four children with infection ol the peritoneum and
mesenteric glands are classified as quiescent disease and are
attending school.