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Bethnal Green Council pay £50 per annum at the Fairlight Sanatorium, Hasting
but male patients only are admitted.
It will therefore be seen that 10 beds will cost from £500 to £800 a year. I suggest
that if this scheme is adopted, only the very early cases should be admitted, and the
statistics then, probably, will prove of a more satisfactory nature, than those given
above. The number of applicants for admission, will always be greatly in excess
of the avilable accommodation, and it is obviously the best plan to make use of the
beds for such cases only, which promise to be lastingly restored to capable health.
There are two ways by which the Public Health Committee may become cognisant
of these early cases. I have already suggested one, and the other method is by making
the notification of Phthisis compulsory. As I have frequently stated, my opinion
is that voluntary notification is comparatively futile. In 22 Metropolitan districts,
the system has been adopted. Its weakness is apparent and admitted, but it is
thought by these authorities that imperfect notification is better than no notification
at all. Probably not more than 10 per cent. and certainly less than 15 per cent.
of the cases are notified. These cases are invariably advanced cases, and quite
unfit for sanatorium treatment.
To sum up, I think we may reasonably expect that of the cases of consumption
which are recognised sufficiently early, and commence sanatorium treatment, a large
number may be cured and return to work in three months.
I do not advocate that the sanatorium treatment should be at the expense of,
and exclude the present administrative action in any way. Housing accommodation
should be continually improved ; the conditions under which the patient lives
should be considered ; the issue of printed general instructions as to the prevention
of the spread of the disease and suggestions as to personal hygiene should be continued
as well as occasional or periodical disinfection of premises, and on removal or death
of the patient. Educating the general public by means of lectures on the prevention
of consumption should also be encouraged.
In conclusion, I must express my obligation to the Sanatorium Authorities
for their annual reports, where I have gained statistical and other facts, especially
those from Benenden, Maitland, Ventnor, Bournemouth, Torquay and Midhurst,
as well as to Dr. Burton-Fanning, Physician to the Kelling Open-air Sanatorium
and Dr. Squire, Physician to the Mount Vernon Hospital for Consumption and
Diseases of the Chest, Hampstead and Northwood.
D. L. THOMAS,
Medical Officer of Health.
Public Health Department,
43, White Horse Street,
Commercial Road, E.
24th October, 1910.