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44
Typical Examples of Care Committee Cases.
The Secretary of the Care Comm ittee (Miss Sargent) reports the following
Cases as typical of many dealt with by the Committee during the
year :—
A was a maid in domestic service when she first came to the
Dispensary. She was suffering from tuberculous glands, and was
sent away to sanatorium where the treatment did her so much good
that on her return she was able to take another place, which she
kept for some months, and then broke down in health again. Operative
treatment was obtained for her from the Infirmary, and then
through the Care Committee she found a place as parlourmaid at
Naylands Sanatorium. She is now getting on well, and is very
happy, and there is every prospect that she will eventually be able
to resume her ordinary work under normal conditions.
B was a widow left with three delicate children, and was herself
in need of prolonged institutional treatment. The one little boy
who was suffering from spinal caries, was sent to Alton by the
London County Council, and the same authority provided treatment
at Carshalton for the younger girl, who was suffering from
tuberculous glands. The elder girl was placed in a home in the
country by the United Services Fund, and the mother was thus
left free to accept hospital and then sanatorium treatment.
When the time came for the little girl to be discharged from
Carshalton, the mother was not fit to look after her, and so, through
the Invalid Children's Aid Association, she obtained admittance
to the Royal Patriotic Corporation Fund Home, where she was
soon after joined by her elder sister, and in this way the two little
girls will be brought up together.
C was a discharged soldier, who came home from hospital with
very little chance of recovery. The British Red Cross Association
were asked to grant bed and bedding, so that he could sleep alone
and thus lessen the risk of infection to his family. A nice single
bed, mattress, sheets and blankets were supplied and everything
done to make him as comfortable as possible.
D was a widow with three sons, who had got into very low water
through ill-health and unemployment. Everything that could be
turned into money had gone, and the home was reduced to less than
the barest necessaries, while any attempt at keeping up appearances
had become a thing of the past. The Dispensary first lent blankets,
and the patient was recommended for sanatorium treatment.
When she came to go away the Charity Organisation Society were
asked to supply clothing, and this they did so generously that, as
she said, " she felt a different woman."
The boys found work, and during the mother's absence they
steadily saved up until they had bought blankets and quilts for
the beds. In addition, they redecorated the home so as to have it