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protection of the public that he should be assisted in making a correct
diagnosis and so the first conclusion is arrived at that the Sanitary
Authority should provide facility for the bacteriological examination
of sputum for Tubercle Bacilli.
The discovery of this practically amounts to the voluntary
notification of expectorating pulmonary tuberculosis for those cases
in which the sputum is examined at the public expense.
Notification.— Many persons are of opinion that Phthisis
should be placed in the same category as Scarlet Fever, Diphtheria,
Typhoid, and other statutory notifiable diseases mentioned in the
Infectious Diseases Notification Act, but it must be remembered that
the diseases which are notifiable under the Infectious Diseases
Notification Act, are from the time of attack to recovery or death,
only of short duration; on the other hand a person may be suffering
from Phthisis for several years, so that the regulations and enactments
in question could not be made applicable to Phthisis or
Consumption.
Many local authorities have applied to the Local Government
Board to make it notifiable, but all have met with refusal. In only
one town in England, and that by a Private Bill in Parliament, has
Consumption been made compulsorily notifiable.
That a form of compulsorily notification will come in time there
is little doubt, and until this time does come and with a view to
educating the public up to it, I should strongly recommend that
voluntary notification be adopted and that the same fee be paid
as under the Infectious Diseases Notification Act. To voluntary
notification objection is often raised that it is an infringement of
professional confidence between patient and medical attendant, and
in view of a high legal opinion recently given that in the case of a
medical practitioner notifying without the consent of the patient
he might possibly be subject to an action, it should be understood
that notification be made only with the consent of the patient, and in
order to get the best results from voluntary notification I would
suggest, before any steps be taken, that either myself, the Chairman
of the Sanitary Committee, or whoever the Committee desire, should
communicate with the local Medical Association with a view to
obtaining their co-operation.
Disinfection. — That after removal on account of change of
residence or of entry into a hospital, sanatorium or home, or after