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56
have escaped recognition until the disease had reached a more
advanced stage, and the patient's chance of recovery greatly diminished
or lost. The Committee affords material assistance to a
considerable number of consumptive patients and their families
every year. Some idea of the assistance thus afforded will be
gathered from the following particulars:—
Number of patients given prolonged sanatorium treatment
10
„ ,, provided with in-patient hospital
letters 20
,, „ provided with out-patient hospital
letters 32
„ „ provided with convalescent
ment 7
„ „ boarded out in the country or at
the sea-side 4
„ „ provided with additional
ment 18
„ „ assisted to remove into the country 2
„ „ provided with suitable work 1
„ „ otherwise assisted 27
In a number of cases where a consumptive patient is the breadwinner
of the family, the Committee by assisting the family have
enabled the patient to enter a hospital or sanatorium. The total
number of consumptive patients assisted by the Committee in 1908
was 67. Of these 35 were notified cases that were brought to the
notice of the Committee by the Medical Officer of Health. The
Committee and the Health Department work in close co-operation.
Mrs. Fisher attends the meetings of the Committee, and
there is a constant interchange of information between the Committee
and the Department.
Voluntary notification of consumption has been in operation in
Hampstead since 1902, but, as will be seen on reference to the table
on page 54, the number of cases notified has hitherto been small.
The situation with reference to notification has, however, been
materially improved by the issue of the Public Health (Tuberculosis)