View report page

12
The ratio of non-notified cases to total deaths for 1949
and the preceding four years is as follows:-
1945 1946 1947 1948 1949
1:5 1:3 1:7 1:24 1:11
During 1949 no action became necessary under the Public
Health (Prevention of Tuberculosis) Regulations, 1925, or
Section 172 of the Public Health Act, 1936.
Very close contact is maintained with the Kingston and
District Tuberculosis Care Committee, whose field of work is
coincidental with the North Central Division, of which body
the Medical Officer of Health is Chairman, and considerable
assistance has been given to patients, and there is no doubt
that the Care Committee is fulfilling its proper function of
helping towards the rehabilitation of patients.
The Care Committee was formed for the purpose of
encouraging and assisting sufferers from tuberculosis towards
recovery. Thus, recognition was given officially to the special
need for the care of tuberculous persons, because tuberculosis
is infectious, and the treatment required for a cure involves
a long period of complete rest. This enforced loss of
earning power is a very serious matter to the family particularly
if the patient is the wage earner.
During 1949 189 families were helped, the form of help
being extra nourishment, clothing, money grants for removals,
bedding, fares, pocket money, correspondence courses, and
miscellaneous items, and a total of £1,745 was expended from
the funds of the Committee on this work.
Scabies.
During the year the scheme for treating cases and contacts
of scabies continued to operate as described in previous reports.
Arrangements exist for the treatment of scabies at the
Cleansing Centre for school children, the cost being recharged
to the Education Authority. Treatment of children under
five and adults continues as a Borough Health Service.
The work was carried out on a sessional basis, at the
Cleansing Station, Burton Road, by part-time attendants working
under the supervision of Health Visitors. Owing to the reduced
number of cases it has been found possible to restrict the hours
for which the station is kept open.
The number of cases and contacts still further decreased
during 1949 and no special difficulties were encountered.
The incidence of scabies has markedly diminished.
The tables overleaf show the numbers of persons treated
during the year 1949, and the four preceding years.