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40
It will be seen that it has been necessary to observe in residential institutions
a much smaller number of children than formerly. It is satisfactory also to note that,
despite this considerable drop in the number of children observed, those actually
suffering from tuberculosis would appear not to have been overlooked. Some of the
children in which the diagnosis of tuberculosis was not confirmed, although discharged
so far as the tuberculosis scheme is concerned, have been retained under
residential treatment for further treatment of non-tuberculous chest conditions.

The Council sends a number of patients to Papworth village settlement, near
Cambridge, and to the Preston Hall colony, Aylesford, Kent. A careful selection is
made with a view to the admission of patients most likely to be accepted later as
suitable for settlement in the colony; 27 of the Council's former patients have been
accepted as permanent employees of the industrial settlement at Papworth and 34
at Preston Hall. The serious problem is the patient who, after some 12 or 18 months'
treatment and training, has small prospect of entering a settlement. As both colonies
are industrial concerns, it is necessary that only the most efficient should be accepted
for employment. The Council has accordingly entered into arrangements with the
authorities of the institutions for a reduction of the fee charged in respect of those
patients who, although unlikely to be fully self-supporting, are yet able to be of some
commercial value. These cases are subject to periodical review at intervals of a
few months. At the end of the year 106 patients at Papworth and 85 at Preston Hall
were being treated under this arrangement. The corresponding figures for 1932 were
100 and 88 respectively.
Papworth
and Preston
Hall village
settlements.
In 1929 the Burrow Hill colony, Frimley, Surrey, which belongs to the National
Association for the Prevention of Tuberculosis, was re-organised into an institution
for the treatment and training in gardening or clerical work of youths between the
ages of 14 and 19 years. The scheme is that youths suffering from tuberculosis who
need to remain under treatment for at least a year are sent to the colony and the
Council has authorised the granting of a second year of training in cases where there
are definite indications that prolonged residence is likely to be of special benefit
to the boys, both as regards health and fitness for employment. The course of instruction
at the colony has received the approval both of the Board of Agriculture
and the Board of Education. The Council maintains an average of about 40 beds.
A scheme is in operation under which arrangements are made for special
training in gardening of selected boys with a view to their subsequent employment
in the Council's parks department as "improvers" after two years training at the
colony.
This scheme contemplates that five youths will be accepted for such employment
during each financial year. Four youths commenced work in the parks department
under the scheme in 1931, and three more in 1932. During the year 1933 three
additional youths commenced work in the Council's parks.
The lads have been kept under special observation by the chief officer of the
parks department, and his reports on all the boys have been uniformly excellent and
have borne testimony to the efficiency of the training at the colony. One appointment
had to be terminated on account of the relapse of the patient.
Burrow
Hill colony,
Frimley,
Surrey.