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96
General Observations on the Results of Treatment.
The greatest factors making for success are patience on the
part of the sufferer and helpful optimism on the part of his medical
adviser. All who are unfortunately attacked sufficiently severely
to cause symptoms should reconcile themselves to the fact that for
the rest of their lives they will have to be circumspect.
No Tuberculous person, able to work, should lead a life of
idleness, but the occupation must be governed by the medical
needs. The greater number of Tubercular persons are unable to
compete on equal footing with healthy persons. If this is remembered
and the principle of subsidization of these patients was
accepted, they could be made productive units of industry, with
benefit to themselves and the community. Subsidization of
blind persons has been universally approved, and it is difficult
to understand the non-recognition of the principle in another
class of handicapped persons. Sickness benefit under the
National Health Insurance Act could serve as subsidy for
tubercular persons and, in those medically certified as fit to do
work of some kind, should be given conditionally on the patient
endeavouring to do suitable work.
It is gradually becoming recognised that Sanatorium treatment
of Pulmonary Tuberculosis requires to be supplemented by other
methods of treatment. Eventually it will probably be necessary
to have a Surgeon who has specialised in thoracic surgery as a
Consultant on the staff of every sanatorium.
The Tuberculosis Officer paid 57 visits to Mayday Hospital,
in a consultative capacity, and there examined 168 patients.
The Tuberculosis Clinic and Home Visiting.
The subjoined table gives a summary of the work done in
connection with the Clinic.
496 new cases were examined during the year; this is equal
to 315.9 for each 100 deaths from the disease. 201, or 128 for
each 100 deaths, were found to be definitely tuberculous.
The contacts of definite cases are urged to attend the Clinic
for examination (and subsequent supervision). This is an
important preventive measure. During the year 323 contacts were
examined, equal to 205 for each 100 deaths, compared with 383
in 1933, or 208 per 100 deaths. Of these, 8 were considered to
be tuberculous. This is equal to a tuberculosis rate per 1,000
contacts of 24.7, compared with 1.35 per 1,000 of the general
population. In 201 adult contacts examined the tuberculosis rate