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disposal (in addition to offices for the Medical Officers and Clerk, and a
separate laboratory) the facilities and accommodation of the out-patient
department of the hospital, including waiting rooms and two consulting-rooms,
with two dressing rooms and dark rooms attached to each. This is one of
the advantages of the Dispensary being attached to a hospital, but what is
even of more value is the facility with which we can get opinions on difficult
cases from the various special departments of the hospital. We have continued
to take every advantage of this arrangement, 83* cases having been referred
to the X-ray department, while the Surgeon to the hospital, and the Surgeon
in charge of the ear, nose, and throat department, have only been too willing
to help us with their advice, and, where necessary, have undertaken the
treatment, of cases.
Previous to September of this year we had no arrangement with the
dental department of the hospital for the treatment of dental cases, although
in urgent or special cases the Dentist invariably came to our aid. This
defect has now been remedied, and the sanction of the Borough Councils has
been obtained to a fortnightly session for the treatment of Dispensary cases
requiring extractions, fillings, or dentures. The scheme is working very well,
but we are experiencing some difficulty in persuading patients to have their
teeth attended to.
In addition to the special departments, the Tuberculosis Officers consult
the Physicians in charge of out-patients in difficult or interesting cases.
The help of the charitable societies, such as the Invalid Children's Aid
Association, Charity Organisation Society, Soldiers' and Sailors' Families'
Association, and the Jewish Board of Guardians, has been of great value.
The Invalid Children's Aid Association has arranged for the convalescence of
a large number of our so-called pre-tubercular children, either in the country
or at the seaside, and, in addition, has supervised their after-care, frequently
providing them with clothing, etc., and, where necessary, with suitable occupations.
The after-care of tuberculous patients is one of the duties of the
Tuberculosis Care Committee, of which the Tuberculosis Officer is a member.
The Tuberculosis Officers continue to act as Medical Beferees to the
Local Pensions Committees, both for tuberculous ex-service men, and those
suspected of having tuberculosis. This has entailed a great deal of work, but
it has ensured the regular attendance of these patients at the Dispensary, and
has aided their supervision.
Two hundred and twenty patients were admitted to hospital or sanatorium
during the year. The period between the recommendation for institutional
treatment and the patient's admission to Hospital is still much longer than
it should be, while there is the same difficulty in obtaining institutional treatment
for patients with advanced disease, with the exception of those who
*Including Bethnal Green and Hackney cases.