View report page

70
are other members of the public, either at their own homes or at their
place of work, they are not members of a family with a bad family
history who can be felt to be especially susceptible, they have not suffered
from any of the acute illnesses which are sometimes followed by tuberculosis,
nor are they suffering from any of the illnesses or diseases in
which tuberculosis might develop as a complication. And yet they succumb
to the disease. To reduce the likelihood of such members of the
public succumbing, no specific remedy or direct action is practicable.
All that can be done is the taking of those steps which enable the population
to be suitably housed and suitably fed. That is why the control
of tuberculosis amongst such persons is one of the rewards of the maintenance
of a satisfactory general health service. One direct way in which
the risk can be reduced is by minimising the possibility of infection in
the home. It is for this reason that the Council has made such generous
provision in housing those families which have a member suffering from
tuberculosis. Even without there being any overcrowding, good housing
is sound prevention, especially the good housing of those who are growing
up. It is probably much more important to be born in a good
environment than to be transferred to a good environment later in life.