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it is essential that all cases should be notified as early as possible, so that
means can be taken for the treatment of the patients themselves, as well as
for the examination of members of their families, who have been exposed
to infection.
One-half of the deaths registered from Phthisis last year had never been
notified, or only at the time of death. The Tuberculosis Regulations, 1912,
require medical men to notify every case of Tuberculosis within 48 hours of
the same coming to their knowledge. The only penalty under these regulations
is for wilful violation, but it would be difficult to prove that failure
to notify amounts to wilful violation of the regulations.
(8). House to House Inspection. Every house in the
Borough was inspected and the drains tested between 1901 and 1914. The
systematic inspection was suspended during the war, but it was resumed in
1919 and five temporary inspectors were appointed to supplement the work
of the permanent inspectors, and to serve notices more especially under the
Housing and Town Planning Act. It took three years to inspect every house
and every room in such house, but the drains were not inspected, except
where the inspection took place as a result of a complaint or a case of infectious
disease had occurred there.
In conclusion, I have to thank the Maternity and Infant Welfare
Committee, the Public Health Committee and Council for their kind support,
and the members of my staff for the manner in which their duties have
been performed.
I am, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Yours respectfully,
D. L. THOMAS.