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97
Owing to several changes in the medical staff during the year, the work
of the Dispensary has suffered to quite an appreciable extent. This is
especially seen in the administration of the special treatment by means
of Tuberculin, where continuity of treatment over a prolonged period is
very desirable and indeed essential, if good results are to be looked for.
Following the resignation of Dr. Burton and the appointment of his
successor, the work of the Dispensary was carried on by a locum tenetis,
so that the treatment of the patients was in charge of three different
medical officers during the past twelve months. As each officer has
his own ideas as to the method and dosage of administering tuberculin,
and the patients to whom it should be given, the result has been that in
many cases the particular tuberculin has been changed, and in others
stopped, so that it is for the most part practically impossible this year
to give any accurate information as to results of treatment under this
heading. It shows how little desirable such changes are in the interests
of the patients.
Possibly for the same reason there is a distinct tendency on the
part of many patients to regard the Dispensary as a place for the dispensing
of special cough mixtures. They are very surprised when
asked to submit to examination. "Oh, I've just a bad cough, if you
give me a bottle, I will be all right," is what one is accustomed to hear,
and requests have even been received to "make up" a bottle "for a
neighbour" who has a "bad cough" but who cannot be troubled to
come down to the Dispensary himself. Others, in spite of the notice at
the door, take the Dispensary to be something in the nature of the
outdoor department of a general hospital, and patients have presented
themselves with all manner of complaints bearing no relation to Tuberculosis:
e.g., rickets, headaches, varicose veins, sprains, etc. These
people are sometimes very annoyed when refused treatment.
The above remarks show what a great deal remains to be done in
the way of educating the people as to what Tuberculosis is, and a series
of monthly or quarterly popular lectures is worth considering. If the
ordinary consumptive patient could only be taught to realise that a clean,
well-ventilated home, with reasonable attention in the matter of personal
hygiene and the disposal of sputum, would do more to improving his
health and preventing the spread of infection in the family than a
gallon of cough mixture, then a distinct step forward would be gained.
By means of lantern or other illustrated lectures to which all known
tuberculous patients would be invited, the value of fresh air, of cleanliness,
and the importance of careful disposal of the sputum could be
explained to a large number at one time, and if periodically repeated,
might in time, lead these patients to take the really simple precautions