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37
Of 151 cases notified between January 1st and September
30th, 43 died before the end of the year, 24 dying within one
month of notification, and 17 more within six months.
In 71 notified cases the previous duration of the disease was
under six mouths ; in 21 between six months and a year; in 30
between one and two years ; and in 37 over two years.
68. In 21 houses where cases were notified the walls were
dirty, and in 3 the walls were damp. 11 cases were said to be
intemperate, 2 were said to be teetotallers. In 9 cases the
source of infection was probably as follows, viz. : 1 father,
1 mother, 2 brothers, 1 stepfather, 2 lodgers, 1 sister, 1 husband.
69. Disinfection. Disinfection was performed in 89 cases,
45 being after death, and 44 were cases that had been notified
and either removed to the Infirmary or Hospital, or were
willing to allow disinfection while still in the house.
In the two previous years, 18 and 86 premises, respectively,
were disinfected.
70. Bacteriological diagnosis. Sputa from 36 suspected
oases of diagnosis was submitted to the Jcnner Institute for
bacteriological examination, and a positive result obtained in 12.
The Council only commenced to provide for this valuable
means of diagnosis at the end of 1901. I consider it is
proving to be of the greatest value in detecting cases of phthisis
and enabling early curative and preventive measures to be
taken.
71. Age Distribution. The following table gives a
comparison as to age incidence between cases notified and
deaths from Phthisis during 1902. The totals being nearly