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in the lungs can be cured, but not all by any means; cases more
advanced may be improved in health, and even have their working
capacity increased, but ultimately the majority go from bad to
worse, until at last death brings a release to their sufferings.
I should like here to refer briefly to the powers and responsibilities
of the local authority, in regard to preventing the spread
of tuberculosis.
Pulmonary Consumption being an eminently preventable
disease, and having been by law made notifiable to Medical Officers
of Health, local authorities are required to put in force the powers
entrusted to them for the prevention of the spread of this disease.
The powers given to local authorities are very large, as may been
seen from Article IX. of the Public Health (Tuberculosis) Regulations,
1911, as follows:—
Special Powers of Councils.
Article IX.—(I) For the purposes of these regulations
and of the Poor Law Regulations and of the Hospital Regulations
a Council, on the advice ot their Medical Officer of Health,
may supply all such medical or other assistance, and all such
facilities and articles as may reasonably be required for the
detection of Pulmonary Tuberculosis, and for preventing the
spread of infection and for removing conditions favourable to
infection, and for that purpose may appoint such officers,
do such acts and make such arrangements as may be necessary.
Provided that nothing in this sub-division shall be deemed
to authorise a Council to take any of the measures herein
mentioned at any Poor Law Institution or any Hospital.
(2) A Council, on the advice of their Medical Officer of Health,
may provide and publish or distribute in the form of placards,
handbills, or leaflets, suitable summaries of information and