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51
Prevalence and Control over Tuberculosis.
33 deaths were due to some form of Tuberculosis, which
is equal to a death-rate of .71 per 1,000 of the population, as
compared with 26 deaths and a rate of .58 in 1913. 27 of
the deaths were due to Pulmonary Tuberculosis, which gives
a Phthisis death-rate of .59, as compared with .36 in 1913.
151 notifications in respect of 68 cases of Pulmonary
Tuberculosis and 16 cases of "Other Forms of Tuberculosis''
were received during the year. 68 were visited by the Health
Visitor or Medical Officer of Health, and in the remainder
the medical practitioner expressed the wish that no visit
should be made, and assured me that all precautions were
being taken.
The Nur9e made 163 visits in connection with these notifications.
Our procedure is as follows:—Upon the receipt of a
notification in respect of Pulmonary Tuberculosis a visit is
made to the home, and various particulars obtained. Whereever
necessary general advice is given as to the hygienic
measures to be taken; a pamphlet giving advice to consumptives
is left. Arrangements for disinfection are made if the
patient has gone away, or if it seems otherwise desirable.
"Spitting-flasks" and "Special Cardboard Spittoons" are
supplied to all suitable cases. If any other person in the
house is suspected of suffering from the disease an urgent
recommendation to obtain advice is made; should the contact
be a young child the School Medical Officer may see the case
when inspecting school children. If the Nurse reports any
unsatisfactory condition in the house or surroundings, a
further visit is made by one of the Sanitary Inspectors.
If a removal or death occurs, the premises are disinfected
by fumigation and spraying of the walls and floors with a
disinfecting solution. If the wall-paper is old and dirty it is
stripped. The bedding, etc., is removed and disinfected at
the disinfecting station.