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136
he advises the person in attendance, in accordance with a
leaflet sent to the patient, as to the need for the patient to
sleep alone, and the bedroom to be ventilated both day and
night. Instruction is also given as to the disposal of the spit,
and a spit-flask is given to the patient if it is needed.
(3) If there is any insanitary condition which can be dealt
with under the law relating to public health the inspector deals
with it accordingly. Overcrowding, of course, receives special
attention, notices to abate the same being served when required;
but more often in tuberculous cases an alteration of the sleeping
arrangements removes danger of infection. In some cases
endeavour is made to persuade advance cases, accommodated to
the danger of other members of the family, to go into the
Infirmary. Under this head must also be mentioned the disinfection
and cleansing of rooms after the death or the removal
of a patient suffering from Pulmonary Tuberculosis, the disinfection
of clothes and bedding and the destruction of infected
articles.
If the above be considered in connection with the powers given
to the Council, it will be seen that the Council have not gone to the
full extent of their powers, in relation to Pulmonary Tuberculosis
under the three heads above set out.
Other Measures which can be Applied.
It is evident that something more might be done by the Borough
Council to combat Pulmonary Tuberculosis in the Borough, and it
is certain from Article IX. (1) of the Order above quoted that more
is expected by the Local Government Board. With respect to(1)
Detection.
The Borough Council could most effectually promote the work
of detection of cases of Pulmonary Tuberculosis by establishing in
the Borough a Tuberculosis Dispensaiy. The Chief Medical Officer