View report page

166
APPENDIX.
ANNUAL REPORT
of the
TUBERCULOSIS OFFICER.
To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors of the
Borough of Southwark.
Sir and Gentlemen,
In presenting my report of the work done at the Tuberculosis Dispensary
for the past year, I have to place on record a considerable
increase both iu the work accomplished and in the scope of usefulness of
the scheme.
The influence of the teaching in the homes of the patients is showing
itself in the better care of the rooms inhabited by consumptives, and
though the time is too short as yet for any appreciable statistical change
as regards incidence and mortality, there is no doubt that the future will
show a diminution in both respects as a result of the work being done in
the present.
As the primary cause of all consumption is the infection by the
Tubercle Bacillus, which is encouraged by dampness, darkness, and dust,
and is prevented by the opposite conditions, the state of the rooms
occupied by the patient, is of the greatest importance and receives our
most careful attention. The disposal of the sputum and destruction of
the germs is also attended to, and equally important is the removal of
other persons from the range of infection by providing a separate room if
possible, or at any rate a bed, and doing all that the patient's means will
permit to prevent overcrowding.
The establishment of an Interim Care Committee which has on it
representatives of the chief charities of the district has done very good
work in assessing the payments which are made for children when
admitted to residential Institutions, which contributions go towards their