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34
During 1920, new cases to the number of 689 were examined at
the Dispensary. This includes 251 contacts and also 61 ex-service
men who were referred to the Dispensary by the Ministry of Pensions.
Of the total number examined 190 were insured persons. The
number of attendances recorded by all patients was 6,615, being 816
more than last year. Of the new cases 199 were found to be suffering
from pulmonary tuberculosis and 38 from non-pulmonary tuberculosis:
127 were doubtful and kept under observation and the remainder
were discharged as non-tuberculous.

Of the cases not notified, more than half were deaths occurring in
Institutions. Whatever the condition of the patient on admission, a
diagnosis of tuberculosis must have been arrived at before death and
ought to have been notified. It must be borne in mind that notification
is the only means of bringing the disease to the knowledge of the
Public Health Department, and that the earlier the notification the
more valuable the information.
During the year 318 cases (250 pulmonary and 68 non-pulmonary)
were notified. The distribution of the cases is shewn below :—