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Thirdly, the great majority of the early cases can be cured
in their own homes without interfering with their work, so that
there is only a residuum who require sanatorium treatment.
By means of the Dispensary system we are much better able
to follow up the cases included in the latter category, and make
their home conditions more satisfactory and the workshop more
healthy.
THE GENERAL SCHEME.
The idea is to have a central building as a clearing
house which we call the Dispensary, acting in close conjunction
with the Medical Officer of Health.
At this centre all cases are received, and either come voluntarily
or are sent by the Medical Officer of Health, medical
practitioners or institutions.
A diagnosis of consumption having been made, the patient
is either treated at the Dispensary or at home, and afterwards,
if necessary, sent to some sanatorium, or to a home for advanced
cases, or to the infirmary.
The buildings used for Dispensaries are usually houses
which have been rendered suitable for the purpose.
Perhaps the old milk depot at Woolwich has been transformed
into one of the most ideal of the London Dispensaries
on account of its glazed brick walls with rounded corners to
admit of easy cleaning, and floors of granolithic paving.
In addition, the whole suite of rooms is on the ground
floor, with separate exits and entrances.
We believe that the smallest number of rooms possible for
the convenient working of a Dispensary is one large wailing
room, two small dressing rooms, nurses' room, consulting room,
laboratory, dispenser's room and the usual offices.
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