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1 he rest of the family are instructed how best to avoid
infection from the case of phthisis already existing.
Great care is taken to avoid friction with the local medical
men. In order to achieve this, the visitor does not take the
patient's temperature, or the patient's pulse rate, and carefully
abstains from anything that may verge upon medical or .surgical
treatment.
It is no part of the inspector's work to treat cases, or to
diagnose cases of phthisis. This is left to the doctor in
attendance.
The supervision of cases not under medical treatment is not
undertaken. These patients are referred to their own medical
adviser, or to an institution.
Cases are not investigated at the casual request of outside
organisations or committees. If such cases are received they are
referred, in writing, to the Medical Officer of Health.
Visits are visits of necessity, not visits of convenience.
Any difficulties that are encountered in the work are immediately
reported, in writing, to the Medical Officer of Health.
What more may be done.
1.—There is great need of a tuberculosis dispensary in the
district, modelled and working on Edinburgh lines, and equipped
with the facilities for the modern tuberculin treatment.
2.—The retention of " educational beds " in a sanatorium is
very desirable.
3.—The loan and distribution of wooden municipal shelters for
open-air home treatment is very helpful, and is already being
accomplished in some London boroughs.
4.—It is impossible in many Finsbury households to attempt
even a modified or incomplete form of isolation owing to the lack
of bedsteads and bedding. It is obviously absurd to tell a
father of a family to sleep by himself when he rents only one