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In addition, convalescent treatment lias been recommended for exService
men through the United Services Fund, and for many children
through the Invalid Children's Aid Association, the Public Assistance
Committee, the School Authorities, St. Henry's Fund and other agencies.
In April, 1930, St. Stephen's Hospital passed from the control of the
Guardians to that of the London County Council. The arrangement
whereby the Tuberculosis Officer visits this hospital regularly has been
continued, though it has not, so far, been put on a permanent basis. This
arrangement is of the greatest value, as it enables the Tuberculosis Officer
to come in contact with a number of new cases which he might not see
otherwise, and also to keep in touch with many old patients who are under
treatment there, often for long periods.
The association with Westminster Hospital has been continued and
many cases were referred there during the year for surgical opinions, for
orthopaedic treatment and for treatment such as the removal of tonsils
or adenoids.
29 patients have had X-ray examinations and 225 specimens of sputum
were examined in connection with the work of the Dispensary. 6 cases
have received Artificial Pneumo-thorax treatment at Brompton Hospital
and elsewhere. In all, 94 refills were given at a cost to the Council of
10s. 6d. each refill.
A survey was made of cases to whom this treatment has been given
during the last six years. One patient who died was probably not a very
suitable case from the beginning. The remaining 17 are surviving and
13 of them have been able to work most or all of the time. All remained
for a considerable period in fairly good condition and had remarkably
few troublesome symptoms. Although these are, to some extent, picked
cases, all 17 were definite cases of Tuberculosis, 13 at least having positive
sputa and 15 of them were between the ages of 16 and 28 and therefore
at a stage where a fairly acute form of the disease is common. Unfortunately,
only certain patients are suitable, but there seems to be reason to
conclude that these cases have a good chance, as a result of artificial
pneumo-thorax treatment, of remaining at least moderately well for many
years, with few symptoms and a fairly high average of working capacity.
The expenditure on this treatment is therefore thoroughly justifiable.
One case of Lupus of the skin has made excellent progress with Light
treatment given at the London Hospital. She attended 220 times during
the year, at a cost to the Council of Is. each attendance.
6 Dispensary patients attended the Council's Dental Clinic during the
year, 3 being new cases and 3 cases who had attended previous to 1930.