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73
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. Cases returning from
sanatoriums are notified to the medical practitioners under
whose care they were before going to the sanatorium. If it
-was a private practitioner he is asked if he proposes to
keep the patient under observation for after care; if not
the case is referred to the Tuberculosis Dispensary. In this
way it is attempted to secure that all cases shall have after
care, that the advantage of sanatorium treatment is not
lost, 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.
75. Bacteriological Diagnosis. Sputum from 273 cases
of suspected phthisis was examined at the Seamen's Hospital
and Lister Institute, and tubercle bacilli were found in 71
cases. The number of examinations for the five preceding
years was 179, 210, 191, 151, and 231, respectively. In
addition the Medical Officer examined 338 specimens of
sputum at the Tuberculosis Dispensary, 46 being found!
positive.
76. 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 Rejport).
77. Disinfection was performed by the Public Health
Department at 166 premises, compared with 152, 194, and
247 in the three preceding years. Disinfection was performed
after the death of the patient, and also after removal