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94
Report of Tuberculosis Officer—continued.
From the Tuberculin Testing and X-ray examination during
the last five years of children of school age and under, who have
been examined as "contacts," or because of some symptoms or
signs suggesting tuberculosis, it would appear that in children
from 4 to 14, very few cases of active pulmonary tuberculosis
occur. Children of pre-school age, contacts of persons suffering
from pulmonary disease with Tubercle Bacilli in the sputum,
who show by the Tuberculin Test that they have had infection,
but in whom no abnormal sign can be detected, either because
they are absent or the child is very difficult to examine, will in
some cases unexpectedly give X-ray evidence of lung disease,
and such examination in these cases seems of value.
Adolescent and young adult contacts, among whom the deathrate
is so high, and whom particularly it would be most desirable
and useful to keep under periodical supervision after a case has
occurred in the household, are those it is most difficult to get to
attend for even one examination.
Dental Treatment.
The number of patients for whom dental treatment was provided
was 52 compared with 50 in 1934. Frequently when dental cases
are seen at the Dispensary they are febrile, and the treatment most
urgently needed is rest; so dental treatment may be postponed, and
in some cases is eventually carried out while the patient is in an
institution.
The Borough Council provides the services of a Dental Surgeon,
who attends weekly. Treatment is free but, in the provision of
dentures, persons able to contribute to the cost are assessed after
consideration of a recommendation of the Tuberculosis Care
Committee, by the Public Health Committee in respect of any
balance remaining after contributions from insurance societies or
voluntary associations have been taken into account.
Where the patient is on out-relief the Public Assistance Committee
have been asked to meet the cost.