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9
IV. October 4th. A man aged 45 (caretaker) voluntarily notified
from Walden Road. This case has been under observation
since December, 1909.
V. November 11th. A man aged 35 (cashier) (Poor Law case),
in Victoria Road. The illness was of 3 years' duration, and the
patient had previously been treated in two hospitals.
VI. November 3rd. A girl aged 13, in-patient St. Catherine's
Hospital, Ramsgate, admitted from Crown Lane, Chisleliurst.
This case was notified on her return home in December, again notified
as a Poor Law case. The child had been weakly from birth,
but there was no history of consumption in the family.
Disinfection is thoroughly carried out in all necessary cases
and after deaths, and disinfectants freely supplied as required.
Printed instructions are also given to patients and those in charge.
Under the Poor Law Regulations, 1908, Phthisis was made
compulsorily notifiable among poor persons, and by the Tuberculosis
in Hospitals Regulations, 1911, all persons suffering from the
disease, and being treated in hospitals and sanatoria are required
to be notified.
By the Public Health (Tuberculosis) Regulations, 1911, dated
November 15th, 1911, and numbered 57,807, all cases of Phthisis
are compulsorily notifiable as from January 1st, 1912, medical men
and school medical inspectors being required to notify to the Medical
Officer of Health of the District in which the patient is resident,
or the school is situate—as the case may be—all cases coming to
his notice within 48 hours, with the exception of cases which have
been previously notified. (See Art. 4.)
Art. 9 gives special powers to Councils to " do such acts and
make such arrangements as may be necessary " in supplying medical
or other assistance, facilities and articles for detecting and for
preventing infection, &c., including power to appoint officers to
carry out the work, and also to supply literature, &c.
These Regulations do not affect or interfere with the Poor Law
or the Hospital Regulations, which remain in force as heretofore.
(Art. 10.)
By Art. 13 Medical Officers of Health or Councils are not required
to take any action in respect of patients notified where such
action would interfere with the patient's occupation, or means of
livelihood, &c., it being deemed advisable to deal with such cases
according to the circumstances under which they arise, with a certain
amount of latitude and discretion.