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110
3. The treatment of advanced cases—to remove from the home
circle a possible focus of infection.
Several of the Metropolitan Borough Councils already supply
shelters at the public expense for the use of phthisis patients
within their boundaries. Power to do this is given by Article
XIII. of the Public Health (Tuberculosis) Regulations, 1912.
To sum up then, the Dispensary is meant to be a clearing house
for tuberculous patients, and deals not only with the patient, but
with the patient's whole family and home.
The Dispensary may also, by giving popular lectures and by
holding tuberculosis exhibitions, prove of very great value as an
educational centre.
At first the dispensary should be open each week for one or
more afternoons for males, for one or more separate afternoons
for women and children, and during one evening at least for those
who, owing to their occupation, are unable to attend during the
afternoon.
The closest co-operation is sought between the Dispensary and
local medical men.
In general, it may be stated that no patient is seen by the
Dispensary staff if he has a family doctor, or if he has attended
a doctor within the previous three months, unless he has that
doctor's consent in writing.
Fitting and Equipment: Capital and Annual Outlay.
The reasonable accommodation of a dispensary will include—
Two rooms for the medical officer—one for the examination of
patients, the other to be used as the Committee room and as the
medical officer's sitting room.
One room for the nurse.
A laboratory.
A weighing room to be used also as a waiting room.
A dispensary to be used also as a store room.