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43
Tuberculosis Dispensary.—A Tuberculosis Dispensary for
Finsbury residents was established at the Royal Chest Hospital,
City Road, on December 1st, 1916. During 1923 new patients
numbering 429 were examined; of these, 154 were under 15
years of age, the rest above that age. Those suffering from
tuberculosis were 99(63 insured and 36 not insured). The suspects were 16(10 insured and 6 not insured). The total number
of patients, new and old, who attended during the year was 816.
The total attendances were 3,920. The visits to the homes of
the patients were 3,234. These visits were nearly all made by the
nurse attached to the dispensary. 128 persons were recommended by the Tuberculosis Officer for sanatorium or h'ospital
treatment. In the great majority of these cases institutional
treatment was given.
The total number of contacts examined at the Tuberculosis
Dispensary was 223. The number of "X"-ray examinations
was 6. The number of sputum specimens examined by the
hospital pathologist was 438.
The Tuberculosis Officer made 285 visits to the homes of the
patients.
Under the scheme formulated by the Ministry of Health in
Memorandum 30/T the Tuberculosis Officer undertakes, for the
Ministry of Pensions, the examination of ex-Service men. The
number of reports furnished to the Ministry of Pensions in respect
of such examinations during 1923 was 310. The fees paid for
this work are handed over by the Borough Council to the Tuberculosis Officer.
INFECTIOUS DISEASE.
Small Pox—One case was notified during 1923. The
patient was removed to the isolation hospital and duly recovered.
Cases were notified in adjacent boroughs, and the names and
addresses of many persons living in Finsbury, and who had been
in contact with persons suffering from smallpox, were notified to
me. Each contact was kept under observation during the incubation period. All necessary precautions were taken, disinfection of