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The notifications of tuberculosis in Camberwell in 1922 are
set out in table form. They emphasise the well-known fact that
pulmonary tuberculosis as seen in the adolescent and adult is
comparatively uncommon in the child, and that other forms of
tuberculosis are more common in children than in adults.
The Work of the Tuberculosis Dispensary.
The aim is to co-operate with the medical practitioners of the
Borough of Camberwell (including the School, Hospital, Infirmary
and District Medical Officers) to secure the diagnosis and treatment
of every case of tuberculosis in the area and to prevent the spread
of the disease.
In planning its work the main function of the Dispensary as an
organising centre should be remembered. Energy should not be
mis-spent over certain portions of the work that, in a large population
can only be fully carried out by a large body of medical practitioners.
To give good service the Dispensary should have a proper
working scheme for facilitating the diagnosis of every class of case —
straightforward or difficult. The aids to diagnosis afforded by a
large general hospital being available should be utilised.
The Dispensary should co-operate closely with the public
bodies responsible for residential schemes for dealing with tuberculosis,
and should be cognisant of all means of obtaining residential
treatment.
The Dispensary should have knowledge of all general and local
means of obtaining material assistance, so that it may be able to
advise or to take steps to obtain such assistance in suitable cases
when asked to do so. Medical practitioners should have no hesitation
in bringing to the notice of the Dispensary any case where medical
treatment is hampered through financial difficulties, bad housing,
etc. The examination of contacts of notified cases has frequently
revealed unsuspected cases of the disease. The Dispensary is
desirous of making this important part of the work as complete as
possible throughout the whole area and realises the immense
importance of cordial co-operation with the medical practitioners in
this connection.
Summary of the Work of the Tuberculosis Dispensary in 1922.
Number of new patients examined 1,656
Number examined at home for the first time and not re-examined
at the Dispensary (healthy contacts 161
Number of old patients examined 1,602
Number of new patients sent by medical practitioners for consultation
607
Total attendances of patients at the Dispensary 10,587
Number of new contacts examined 922
Number of patients referred to hospital for consultation 213
Number of specimens of sputum examined in connection with
the work of the Dispensary 1,474
Number of visits paid by tuberculosis officers 947
Number of visits of nurses to homes of patients 4,382