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to decide whether they were likely to benefit by sanatorium treatment.
The results, on the whole, were very gratifying. Many
were discharged, having stayed the allotted periods, with observations
of the following character marked on their case sheets: "Fit
for ordinary occupation"; "Fit for full work with a steady temperature"
Is making satisfactory progress and is now recommended
for domiciliary treatment" The lung condition is now
fairly quiet and further sanatorium treatment is unnecessary.
Recommended for dispensary treatment"; "The disease is now
quiescent, discharged to work." A few, who had not completed
their cures were discharged at their own request and against
medical advice. Some of these shortly afterwards enlisted. Two
were discharged for misconduct and for breaches of regulations.
Two patients were discharged with progressing illness and as
unlikely to benefit by longer stay.
What the Borough Council is doing.—The preventive
and other measures adopted were fully described in a previous
annual report. Briefly they have reference to the following
matters :—
1. Visitation and advice to the patient and to the home contacts.
The first visits are made by the male staff; the revisits by
the Lady Sanitary Inspector.
2. Enquiry for missed cases or suspected cases of tuberculosis.
Forty-four suspected cases were discovered in 1914.
3. Suspected cases are put in the way of being medically
examined and obtaining treatment. Difficulties are experienced
in getting all the home contacts to submit to examination. The
majority are not apparently ill; they have no pain or discomfort,
and state they have not got time to go and see the doctor."
This difficulty will ito longer obtain, once the Finsbury Tuberculosis
Dispensary is established and the medical officer is able to
examine them in their homes at convenient times.
4. Leaflets of instruction are left at the house—a coloured
pictorial leaflet for the very poor and illiterate, a small book for
the others.