London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Ilford 1911

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Ilford]

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49
Some who would be temporarily aided by residence at such
an institution, some who would be better removed from
existing surroundings and would be so likely to diminish the
risk of infecting others, some who would be helped by the
education so provided that on returning to their homes and
work they would be a much less source of danger to their
associates, and some for other reasons.
Then, in addition, there must be some central meetingplace
in the district for patient and medical adviser. At the
office at present there is accommodation in the form of
waiting and consulting rooms. These could be set aside one
or two afternoons a week, or as often as necessary, for the
dealing with Phthisis. Under due supervision this could be
done without danger. Here the cases could be seen by the
expert from the Sanatorium, cases requiring it could be
treated and examined, sputum could be examined on the
premises or other laboratory methods carried out, and here
would be all the notifications with information collected
arising from them. From here, too, would proceed the visits
for examining the home conditions, for examination of contacts,
dealing with children attending school, and so on.
To carry this out would require an addition to the staff of a
medical resident at the Isolation Hospital. This assistant
could also attend at the offices at the appointed times for
examining or treating the Phthisis cases, and would also
visit the homes to examine contacts or for other reasons.
Another Health Visitor would be necessary, and if, as
would be, her time was not fully occupied in this work, part
of it could be allocated to assist in the medical inspection of
school children, where more of such help is badly wanted.
Then there would be the expense of the provision of
accommodation at the Isolation Hospital, which need not be
costly, and the administrative portion is, of course, already
there.