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60
assisting the patient to remain at home with efficient nursing and
medical supervision would be more efficacious in the long run.
Investigation of and disinfection after Infectious
Diseases.—In all cases homes were visited and full inquiries
made, these being subsequently tabulated in the register.
Home cases were also systematically visited by the Inspectors.
Disinfection by formaldehyde vapour, soaking bedclothes and
personal clothing in disinfectant solution, and removal where
necessary of bedding to the steam disinfecting apparatus were
regularly carried out, both after recovery of home cases and after
removal of patients to hospital or death of cases of pulmonary
tuberculosis.
Several disinfections after cases of cancer were also carried out
at the request of occupiers of premises when such cases had died.
MEANS OF PREVENTING MORTALITY IN CHILDBIRTH
AND IN INFANCY.
The subject of infant mortality is dealt with on page 32.
The Council having applied for permission to adopt the
Notification of Births Act, 1907, this was received in April. It
was, however, not found to be possible to commence work under
the Provisions of the Act until the school summer holidays had
ended when the Health Visitor who was also School Nurse, was
able to devote the necessary time to the duties.
The work was then continued until the end of the year, but
was considerably interfered with, first by the illness of the Health
Visitor and later when she left to take up nursing duty with the
French Red Cross Society, and although an excellent temporary
Health Visitor was obtained she was unable to remain until the end
of the year.