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Vapour light and X-ray application giving equally splendid results
in the treatment of lupus and skin lesions in early cases and even
holding the disease in check in the old extensive cases, so that it
is hoped that the usual disfigurements caused by this disease are
now things of the past.
3. Nascent or Intensive lodine—uncertain in its effects, but
in certain cases it has appeared to be extraordinarily successful.
4. Intravenous injections of colloidal copper—some encouraging
results have been obtained, but it is too early to make any
definite statement as to its efficacy in the treatment of pulmonary
tuberculosis.
5. Inductions of artificial pneumo-thorax—a wider use is
made of this method of treatment in suitable cases and the results
have been consistently successful.
ADDENDUM.
By the Chief Executive Tuberculosis Medical Officer.
1. Treatment of Patients.
The treatment of patients at the two Dispensaries is left
entirely in the hands of the Clinical Tuberculosis Medical Officers,
whose views, based upon their respective experiences, differ as
to the values of special treatments employed. It will be noted from
these two Officers' reports that there is a marked difference of opinion
between them as to the remedial value (if any) of tuberculin. The
experience gained at the Branch Dispensary (St. Thomas's Hospital)
is against its use, whilst that gained at the Central Dispensary (73,
Effra Road) is for its use, favourable results, in many respects, being
tabulated by the Tuberculosis Officer at the latter Institution
In this connection, it is to be noted that the Dispensary
Records show that the patients treated lost weight (or, at least,
their weights remained stationary or below the average) during
tuberculin treatment, and that, too, despite the fact that several
patients were being treated concurrently, so the Dispensary Records
show, by the more usual orthodox methods of treatment, viz., the
administration of cod liver oil, hypophosphites, etc. Increases of
of weight were to be expected under the circumstances in such
cases.*
2. " After Care " of Patients.
Both Clinical Tuberculosis Medical Officers agree as to the value
and need of " after-care " in tuberculosis cases, and in this connection
the work of the Lambeth Interim Tuberculosis Care Committee,
which meets weekly alternately at the two Dispensaries, is noteworthy.
This Care Committee was provisionally appointed†for
Lambeth Borough by the London County Council under powers
granted for the purpose under the National Insurance Acts, 1911-13,
and the Public Health (Treatment of Diseases) Act, 1913, subject
to the approval of the Local Government Board, and similar Care
* Similar remarks apply to the patients treated with I.K. (immune substances)
and with pneumosan. † Feb. 22nd, 1916.