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notified to the Medical Officer of Health by the School Medical
Inspectors when discovered during their examination of the children.
I have already had five such cases notified to me since the 1st of
January, and from personal enquiries made, I find that the children
are suffering from Pulmonary Tuberculosis in the early stage, and
they are not under any treatment for the disease. The parents are
poor, and cannot afford to give the children the necessary treatment
or nourishment to enable them to recover. Moreover, the conditions
under which they live are not favourable to recovery. Such cases
of early Pulmonary Consumption are most promising for treatment.
Some, no doubt, will spontaneously recover, in spite of their disadvantages
; but there is no question that, with proper treatment,
we might hope to arrest the disease in all. If neglected, many of
these cases will die from some acute lung attack, or gradually get
worse, and swell the ranks of the chronic cases, infecting, at the
same time, other members of the family.
Here the Borough Council might render great assistance in the
prevention of this disease, by supplying letters for treatment as
in- or out-patients at certain Hospitals in the Metropolis for diseases
of the lungs, or arranging, where the social circumstances are bad,
for these children to be treated in a Sanatorium.
(3) Removal of Conditions Favourable to Infection.
Under this head a Tuberculosis Dispensary would be very
helpful. It would supplement the work of the Council officers in
reducing overcrowding and promoting ventilation and cleanliness,
&c., in dwelling-houses by bringing sufferers from this disease,
needing pecuniary and other help, into relationship with charitable
agencies granting relief. Help of this kind would enable patients
to obtain more ample housing accommodation and home necessaries,
both of which are essential in the work of prevention and treatment.