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Prevention. The primary responsibility of the Clinic is the prevention
of infection. For this purpose the Clinic forms part of, and
keeps in the closest touch with the Public Health Department.
Disinfections are immediately arranged on the departure of a patient
from a house, either to sanatorium, hospital, or to another residence and
on notification of the occurrence of a death. Stress is laid in visiting
on the possibilities of infection and the necessity of proper disposal of
the sputum, in obtaining as far as possible the isolation of the patient,
and the urgency of having the contacts examined. Every endeavour
is made to keep in touch with all notified cases, and the visits are so
arranged as to intensify the following-up system.
Treatment. It is the duty of the Tuberculosis Clinic to see that
every case of Tuberculosis or suspected Tuberculosis receives adequate
treatment. The majority of the cases are referred to sanatoria or
hospitals or to their family doctors.
During the year 194 cases were admitted to sanatorium through the
London County Council, whilst in 9 cases, admission to sanatorium was
arranged through the Guardians. Two cases were admitted to private
sanatoria. Of the above total 37 cases were re-admissions.
In four cases shelters have been provided for patients where there
was sufficient open space to enable the patient to benefit by the use of
them. These are frequently visited to see that they are properly kept
and that the best use is being made of them.
In a number of cases grants of extra nourishment (milk and eggs)
have been made. As far as possible, it is arranged that these grants
shall be given to those patients who require it to attain or maintain a
working capacity.
A certain number of cases are treated at the Clinic, but it is the
object of the Clinic to act rather as a clearing house than to function as
a treatment centre.
Every new case attending the Clinic in which a positive diagnosis
is made is referred to the Secretary of the Tuberculosis After-Care
Committee so that the fullest advantage may be taken of the assistance
offered by this Committee.
It gives me pleasure to record my sincere thanks to every member
of the staff for their assistance in carrying out the work entrusted to us.
Very faithfully yours,
J. A. Harbison, M.D.