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initiative and arduous work in the face of immense
odds and prejudice is due the fact that the dispensary
has become a world-wide institution.
The main features of the dispensary system are as
follows
The Dispensary is the centre of anti-tuberculosis
operations in its own area, and in order to attain this
object its work is co-ordinated with that of all agencies
dealing with persons suffering from the disease. In
London this includes the following :—
The Health Ministry, the War Pensions Ministry
and to some extent the Labour Ministry.
The London County Council (Public Health
and Education departments, and schools).
The Poor Law Authorities and Infirmaries.
Hospitals.
Medical Practitioners.
Approved Societies.
Social Service Workers.
The general practitioners and dispensary workers
are the main forces occupying the front line in the
operations against tuberculosis as they are in close
touch with the disease at the chief source of infection
the patient's home.
The Dispensary work consists of :—
(1) Detection and diagnosis.—This is important,
because the disease is curable in its early
stages, and generally incurable in its later
manifestations. This aspect of the work
involves among other duties the examination
and re-examination of contacts, the
observation of suspicious cases, and the
home supervision of the patients' families.
(2) Treatment.—The chief duty of the Tuberculosis
Officer with regard to treatment is