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62
IV.—TUBERCULOSIS
There was during the year a decrease in both the number of notifications and
in the deaths from tuberculosis. The notification rate, namely, 1-47 per thousand
population, was apart from 1936 the lowest known. The death rate, namely,
0-71 per thousand population, was equal to the lowest known. These both show
welcome decreases on 1937. There must of course be variations from year to year
and in any year in which there is an increase in catarrhal conditions and respiratory
conditions such as influenza, bronchitis, etc. (as happened in 1937), the death rate
from tuberculosis rises and the notification rate also tends to rise.
Another regrettable feature of the trend of tuberculosis at the present time is
the high incidence of the disease among young adults. During the year 1938 the
number of cases of tuberculosis between the ages of 15 and 25 years which came to the
notice of the medical officer of health was as follows:—males 27, females 29. The
total number of new cases for the year was 84 males and 75 females, so that 33.1 per
cent, of the new cases occurred in persons between the ages of 15 and 25 years.
In the report for 1935 mention was made of the investigation which was being
carried out by Dr. F. Ridehalgh, working at the Royal College of Physicians under
the auspices of the Prophit Trust. During 1938 Dr. Ridehalgh continued to investigate
contacts between the ages of 15 and 25 years. For this work a separate clinic
is held every six weeks, and the investigations include the carrying out of tuberculin
tests and the radiological investigations of the contacts. The cost of the work is
borne by the Prophit Trust.
(a) STATISTICS
The total number of cases on the tuberculosis register on 31st December, 1938,
was 1,147 as compared with 1,456 at the corresponding period of the previous year.
This represents a decrease of 309 cases, but this decrease is in large part due to a
review of cases in the borough register in order to bring it more up-to-date.
There were added to the register during the year, on account of fresh notifications
and inward transfers, 159 names. On account of cancellations, as a result of death,
removal from the area, cure, or change in diagnosis, 468 names were removed from
the register (see Table No. 61).
NOTIFICATIONS
During the year there were received notifications of 96 cases of pulmonary
and 22 cases of non-pulmonary tuberculosis, making a total of 118 cases, of which
63 were males and 55 females. This represents a decrease of 17 in the number of
notifications of pulmonary disease, and a decrease of 5 in the number of cases of
non-pulmonary disease. Compared with the average for the previous five years