View report page

81
Diagnosis.—As in the previous year, Tuberculin was used to assist
diagnosis in all doubtful cases, i.e., cases whose sputa did not show
bacilli, or where the physical signs and symptoms were indefinite.
The value of the negative reaction in the von Pirquet Test was very
fully appreciated in those adults, cases where a correct thermometric
reading could not be relied upon. During the year 256 specimens of
sputa were examined in the Laboratory at the Dispensary with 56
positive results.
Treatment.—Treatment by Tuberculin injections has been carried
out in suitable cases, viz., about 55 per cent. of the cases diagnosed
as tubercular. The results where patients attended regularly are encouraging,
but there is the ever present difficulty of inducing patients
to keep on attending when once they find themselves comparatively
well. In 3 cases tuberculin administration was stopped, the patients
gradually losing weight, or the pulmonary condition becoming worse.
In several cases where patients were undergoing this treatment the
course had to be abandoned in consequence of the strenuous nature of
their employment rendering them physically unfit to receive injections.
Routine treatment was carried out in all cases whether receiving
Tuberculin or not and calls for no comment, but attention must be
drawn to the treatment of those advanced cases which so constantly
present themselves at the Dispensary. At present one can only offer
them the Workhouse Infirmary, and naturally many are averse to
entering that Institution. Now as those advanced cases are the most
infectious, it is obviously hopeless to think of eradicating consumption
and allow those people to go back to homes, which in many instances
are quite unsuitable for their condition. While every effort is made
to get hold of early cases, it is every whit as important that proper
accommodation should be provided for the advanced case, which from
the Public Health view is the more dangerous of the two.
During the year, 84 patients from Deptford were admitted to
Sanatoria under the National Insurance Scheme, and 91 to Poor
Law Institutions.
An extra nourishment grant from the Insurance Committee in the
form of a daily supply of milk and eggs for a period varying from
2 to 4 months, was obtained for eight insured persons judged to be
receiving insufficient nourishment at home.
F