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53
Visiting of patients at their homes is carried out by the Phthisis
Visitor, who gives instructions as to measures of personal hygiene, and
precautions against infection, &c., and the Hon. Secretary arranges
where required for better food, Sanatorium treatment, clothing, &c.,
through the various Charitable Societies.
Arrangements have been made whereby the Physicians at the following
Hospitals will examine suspected and contact cases, viz.: Brompton,
Mount Vernon, Margaret Street Consumption Hospitals, Golden Square
Throat Hospital, Charing Cross, St. George's, and Westminster General
Hospitals, besides treating actual cases. The members of the local
profession are taking advantage of the scheme, which has received the
approval of the Local Division of the British Medical Association. In
cases in which the family is not under the care of any medical man,
arrangements have been made with Dr. P. W. Spaull that he should
visit the houses and see the other members of the family.
The Health Office at St. George's Baths has become just such a centre
as Dr. Philip suggests. The clerical work entailed is considerable, as
reports on the homes, &c., visited are supplied to the physicians in
charge of cases, and there is much correspondence between the various
agencies whose help may be desired.
An advantage which the Westminster Scheme possesses is that it is
in close touch with the other schemes of the Society—by this means the
Phthisis Visitor can at once have access to a great deal of information
already acquired. Her attention can also be called to persons who may
appear to require special attention from a phthisis point of view, by those
visiting families in connection with the rearing of children, school work, &c.
Educational training by a short stay in a sanatorium is provided by
the City Council.
Prolonged sanatorium treatment for patients resident or employed in
the parishes of St. Anne and St. Mary, Soho, through the St. Henry
Trust; for Jewish cases, through the Jewish Board of Guardians; for
children, through the Invalid Children's Aid Association and the
Metropolitan Asylums Board; for some others, through the Charity
Organisation Society; and the various general and special hospitals
through their Almoners; and by the Poor Law Guardians of two Unions
at their special infirmary at Hendon.
Disinfection of rooms, bedding, clothing, &c., after death, on change
of address or while patients are temporarily away, is provided by the
City Council.
Provision is also made for the use of poor persons certified under
the Tuberculosis Regulations, on loan or otherwise, of any appliance,
apparatus, or utensil (such as special flasks for spitting into) which will
be of assistance for the purpose of any precaution against the spread of
nfection, by the City Council, and for others through the Health Society