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67.
The number of Dispensary attendances during the
year was 3103, and the number of actual patients attending
1420 : both slightly less than in 1929 and showing
the proportional annual decrease which has been a,
noticeable feature of Dispensary statistics during the
past quinquennium, and due to a combination of factors,
both local and general. However, although there is a
great deal to be achieved in certain important directions,
there is no doubt that the figures reflect a tendency to
decrease both in the incidence and death rate of the
disease; which is very much a matter for satisfaction.
It would be unwise to prophesy, but the probability
remains that, should the present progress be maintained,
it will not be unreasonable to expect within the next
quarter of a century, a complete transformation in the
incidence, type and fatality of this disease, which at the
present time is responsible for a death rate of 0.87 per
thousand.
Regulations and Memoranda which control
Dispensary Procedure.
Several memoranda have been issued by the Ministry
of Health in the period under review : and these, with
Memo 37 T. of 1925 (which became operative in 1926)
cover every phase of tuberculosis work. The following
are amongst them and of chief importance: —
Memo 37T (Revised 1927. Revised 1930).
Memo 121T (1926).
Memo 138T (1928).
Memo 146T (1930).
These memoranda, together with the Public Health
(Tuberculosis) Regulations of 1912, 1921 and 1924,
have resulted in a uniform method of procedure and
classification in all Dispensaries : and thus has evolved
a unified and comprehensive scheme, which has the
distinct advantage of being what one might term "interchangeable"
in all districts—an eminently desirable
arrangement should a patient transfer from one locality
to another.