TUBERCULOSIS 173 



" In the endeavour to attain these ends I have designed two 

 models. The better of these, perhaps, is the aluminum flask con- 

 structed like Dettweiler's, but without the extra opening at the 

 bottom. 



" It is lighter, less bulky, and unbreakable. It is easy to disin- 

 fect as it can be boiled without injury. It possesses every ad- 

 vantage except that of cheapness. The other is a strong glass 

 flask modelled like the aluminum flask just described. The fun- 

 nel is of vulcanised rubber and the cover of white metal. The 

 cleaning and disinfection are simple, and its cost is only about 

 one-third of that of the aluminum flask. . . . All of these flasks 

 are so constructed that the contents cannot be spilled when 

 tipped over, even when the cover is open. . . . The patient 

 should have two pocket flasks, so as never to be without while one 

 is being cleaned." 



The reporting of cases of pulmonary tuberculosis, 

 by their attending physicians, to the health authorities, 

 should be required, not with a view to isolation of the 

 patient, as is demanded in the case of acute infectious 

 diseases, but in order that the patient and his friends 

 may receive reliable information with reference to the 

 danger of the transmission of the disease and the 

 method of preventing it. In New York City, which 

 has taken the lead in this country in preventive meas- 

 ures, the method of procedure is stated by Dr. Her- 

 mann M. Biggs, Medical Officer of the Health 

 Department, as follows : 



" With certain exceptions, such as patients under the care 

 of private physicians, all reported cases, living or dead, are 

 assigned to the medical inspectors of tuberculosis for the district 



