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It has been stated that too little attention is paid to the examination
of contacts, but every endeavour has been made during the past
year to examine the contacts to every notified case.
During 1929 363 primary cases were notified, and the contacts
to these cases number in all 1,041 persons, and of these 579 contacts
were examined, making the number examined nearly 55 per cent.
As one must bear in mind that adult contacts generally refuse
examination unless in ill-health, under the circumstances already
recorded, this percentage is very fair. Some of these contacts were
examined privately and not at the Dispensary.
During the year 1929, 238 deaths were registered—205 pulmonary
and 33 non-pulmonary. Enquiries as to contacts were made in ali
cases, with the exception of deaths occurring in mental hospitals.
Of the pulmonary deaths there were 539 contacts, of which 35')
were examined, representing 64.9 per cent. examined; and of the nonpulmonary
deaths there were 57 contacts, of which 15 were examined,
representing 26.3 per cent. examined.
The actual treatment of patients at the Dispensaries has been
most ably and carefully carried out, and the immense amount of useful
work done is tabulated in the reports of the medical officers in charge
of the Dispensaries.