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6
The remaining three children suffered from the paralytic form.
One, a baby, is left with noticeable weakness of the right arm.
Another, a boy aged 5, has residual weakness of the back, abdominal
and leg muscles. The third case was that of a boy who was quite
severely affected and is still in hospital with considerable weakness
of the back, abdominal and leg muscles.
There is no evidence at all to suggest that any of these cases was
in any way related to swimming, paddling, surgical operations or
immunization. As in the case of other infectious diseases it may be
that the large number of visitors to this Borough play their part
in spreading the infection. When the disease is prevalent in a
district, parents should see that their children do not suffer undue
exertion or fatigue and keep away from crowds or stuffy atmospheres.
The increased number of notifications of pulmonary tuberculosis
is due to more careful searching for cases by the medical profession
and to greater consciousness of the disease in the general public.
Reference to the table in Section F which sets out the age groups
of the notified cases, shows the usual distribution with the difference
that no less than 11 cases were diagnosed in children of school age
or under—formerly such cases were not often notified. Improved
facilities for the examination of family contacts by X-Rays and skin
tests are leading to the discovery of numerous early cases which
are amenable to treatment.
In addition, Mass Radiology is playing its part by the discovery of
unsuspected cases and by awakening in the public a realization of
the importance of having a periodical check-up.
I think that the increased number of notifications should be
considered as an indication of the increased activity of the tuberculosis
services and that it should not be viewed with concern.
When cases are diagnosed early they are readily amenable to
treatment and their early removal from contact with others is an
important factor in reducing the number of secondary cases. Early
diagnosis, treatment, and careful search for contacts are the means
by which this disease will finally be brought under control. Improved
methods of treatment are assisting in many ways but the first essential
must always remain early diagnosis.