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65
notified case. Advice and assistance is (given as to sanatorium
treatment. Revisits of such cases as most need it are made
by the Health Visitor. The Health Visitor also visits, as far
as time allows, cases returning from Sanatoriums, in order to
see that the lessons learnt at the Sanatoriums are practised
as much as possible at home, and that the patient is not
discouraged by initial difficulties. But it is impossible with
the present staff to follow up tuberculous cases as far as
desirable. It is not enough, e.g., to simply advise that
contacts in the family should go to the Dispensary to be
examined. The house should be revisited to see that the
advice has been taken. Similarly with regard to the advice
given to occupy a separate bed and keep the window freely
open; it is often necessary to make repeated visits before
this is satisfactorily done.
76. Bacteriological Diagnosis. Sputum from 231 cases
of suspected phthisis was examined at the Seamen's Hospital
and Lister Institute, and tubercle bacilli were found in 57
cases. The number of examinations for the five preceding
years was 175, 179, 210, 191, and 151, respectively. In
addition the Medical Officers examined 439 specimens pf
sputum at the Tuberculosis Dispensary, 94 being found
postiive.
77. In my Annual Report for 1904 some figures were
given as to the "Public-house as a source of Infection"
and "Chronic Tuberculosis in Children" (see page 50 of
the Report).
78. Disinfection was performed by the Public Health
Department at 247 premises, compared with 166, 152, and