View report page

had been in contact during their lifetime with cases of active
pulmonary tuberculosis, but in the fourth case it was impossible
to discover the source of infection as the contacts refused to be
examined.
On page 31 is a return showing the work done at the Tuberculosis
Dispensary during the year. There has been a slight
increase both in the number of new cases of tuberculosis seen at
the Dispensary and in the number of cases referred for investigation.
The majority of the latter are sent by medical practitioners
who are making good use of the services of the Tuberculosis Officers
and of the auxiliary facilities, such as X-rays, provided for the
diagnosis of obscure cases.
The periodical examination and supervision of contacts is
being maintained, and there has been a slight increase in the
number of adult contacts examined. It is always easier to
secure the examination of children, but the supervision of adults,
and especially of adolescents, is of equal importance in our
attempt to prevent the disease or to check it at its onset.
The number of X-ray examinations shows a decline, due
solely to an increase in the charges made by the London County
Council for this work. These charges, however, have now been
revised and the number of X-ray examinations made will not be
determined primarily by expense.
In my last report, I mentioned that the Tuberculosis Officers
were now giving artificial pneumothorax refills at the Dispensary
to the great advantage of the patients. The number of "refills"
this year has reached a total of 453 and in view of the fact that a
charge of 10/6 for each "refill" is sanctioned when these are done
at hospital, this work of the Tuberculosis Officers has meant a
considerable saving to the borough.
An evening clinic is held for those who work during the day.