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25
As is known, in this district the voluntary notification of cases
of Tuberculosis has been practised for some years. But,
during 1909 the order of the Local Government Board requiring
the notification of such cases from Poor Law officials has of course
been in force.
During the year five cases were notified by private practitioners
voluntarily, and fourteen cases were notified by the Poor
Law authorities.
Of course some of the latter cases were notified to us several
times from different persons; the district medical officer, the
relieving officer, the medical officer of the infirmary at Richmond,
and so on.
In every instance the premises inhabited or vacated by notified
persons was visited; the appropriate leaflet of instruction left;
the house carefully inspected and if necessary cleansed, and the
rooms and contents disinfected at the proper time.
The public are without doubt much more alive than formerly
to the necessity of disinfection, and there is a growing appreciation
of the advantage of free ventilation.
In fact there is a greater tendency for phthisis to be classed
with other infectious diseases, and I do not doubt that in time public
opinion will demand its treatment with them.
As a practising physician one cannot but be impressed with the
increasingly good results that can be secured by even domestic
treatment of tuberculosis, now that the public appreciate the
advantages that follow early and confident diagnosis.
It is hesitation in diagnosis that causes most loss of life from
phthisis, and there is no excuse for it now that a definite opinion
means bold and often successful treatment,