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The number of deaths from tuberculous meningitis nearly
doubled itself, but those from other forms (joints, &c.) of this condition
remained practically the same.
The proposed arrangement with the Camberwell Tuberculosis
Dispensary Authorities several times approached fruition, but on
each occasion the scheme, as agreed between them and the Public
Health Committee, did not commend itself to the Council. The
opposition centred itself not so much round the question of whether
a dispensary was going to do all that its supporters claimed for it,
a claim which certainly is based largely on assumptions and theories,
but rather round financial details which really did not admit of so
much debate. It is useless again to traverse the well-worn path of
the negotiations, except to point out that if we have to provide an
establishment ourselves, or are forced to contribute to one which is
set up for us by the Local Government Board, our expenditure will
be many times greater than if we made the comparatively small
contribution to the Dispensary; and there is the additional advantage
of an annual arrangement that we can terminate should the
Council at any time consider it advisable to do so.
In the not unlikely event, therefore, of an eventual change of
view in the manner of dealing with tuberculous disease, the Borough
would not be the loser of all the initial outlay incurred in setting
up a dispensary added to the maintenance, which must be considerably
more than the contribution asked for by the authorities of
Brunswick Square.
Pending some definite decision, it is impossible to formulate a
scheme for the Borough whereby one can fit in with the arrangement
of the London County Council. On several occasions during the year
letters have been received from them asking for a form to be filled
up for a person to go to a sanatorium, if this Council are ready to
comply with their scheme. In order not to prejudice the chances
of a person getting away this has always been filled up, but with the
proviso that I am unable to answer for the compliance of the Borough
Council. However, the removal of the patient has usually followed.
We have also been asked for clinical reports on persons who have
been in sanatoria. These have been sent to the Dispensary, and
the London County Council informed of the action taken. Although
there has been no obligation, I understand that the Tuberculosis
Officer of the Dispensary has been kind enough to send in such reports.
The Borough Council's shelter has been lent for use in the gardens
of patients on several occasions, but we are handicapped by the
fact that many houses are so small that when it comes to take it
through, we are stopped by awkward turns; occasionally it has
been possible to get it through next door, or even over several
gardens, but on several occasions the difficulty has proved insurmountable.
The total number of those notified who were considered likely
subjects for treatment in a sanatorirm and who were removed
thereto was 149; of these, 15 were dead at the end of the year.