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66
Tuberculosis.
One of the important events of the year 1902 was
the completion of the new Workhouse Infirmary.
The chief matter of importance in connection with the buildings,
from a public health point of view, are the arrangements for the
open-air treatment of consumption. Everything in connection with
the new buildings has been most admirably arranged, and great
credit is due to the architect, Mr. Partridge.
It has been stated that not much good will result to the
individuals treated for consumption at this institution on account
of the disease being far advanced before a person becomes so
pauperised as to necessitate his going into the institution. Probably
there will be few absolute cures in such cases, but to have healthy
surroundings with good nursing and suitable food will certainly tend
to improve the patient, and if a complete cure is not arrived at, he
will at least have his latter days in comparative comfort.
What is of more importance, from a public health point of
view, is the removal of such cases from the various parts of the
Borough, where they act as foci of infection, to an institution so
arranged that precautions will be taken to prevent the patients
being a source of danger to themselves as well as others.
At the International Conference on Tuberculosis, held in
Berlin on October 25th, 1902, Professor Koch (the discoverer of the
germ of consumption) gave an address on "The Transference of
Bovine Tuberculosis to Man." Whatever differences of opinion
there may be on this point, there can be none on the practical
suggestions of Professor Koch, so far as they go, given at the end of
his address, viz:—
" In this connexion I can only repeat what I said in my
London address: The fight with tuberculosis must not be
fought on wrong lines if it is to have a real result. It must
aim at shutting off the chief, indeed we may say almost the
only, source of infection. This is those consumptives who
in consequence of the unfavourable conditions under which