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NURSING AND EXTRA NOURISHMENT.
The Tuberculosis Officers have had the continued co-operation
of both District Nursing Associations during the year, though the
number of cases referred to them is less than it was last year.
The district nurse is often able to give material assistance in the
matter of diagnosis by preparing a morning and evening temperaure
chart for the Tuberculosis Officer. In advanced cases of
tuberculosis where the patient is living at home, it has been our
practice for a long time now to arrange for daily visits from the
district nurse where the patient is willing for this to be done. By
this means we are often enabled to help the patient and at the
same time to reduce the risk of infection to other members of the
household. The amount of extra nourishment which the scheme
allows us to supply to tuberculous patients is very limited and it
usually takes the form of milk and eggs, and is only supplied on
the recommendation of the Tuberculosis Officer ; a total of 240
patients have been thus assisted during the year.
SHELTERS.
For many years the Council has loaned shelters free for the
use of patients suffering from tuberculosis. The shelters are
built by the Works Department and are of the ordinary sanatorium
fixed type, so constructed that even when completely
closed, ample ventilation through louvres is provided. The use
of a shelter diminishes the risk of infection which is so serious
in an overcrowded home, but the instances in which a shelter can
be erected are few, since the garden space available is usually
either insufficient or unsuitable. Beds and bedding are supplied
with the shelter and in some cases arrangements have been
made for electric light to be installed. There are 22 shelters at
present in use, 5 having been erected during the year and 2
dismantled owing to the death or removal of the patient.
In addition to the supply of shelters, beds and bedding are
supplied on loan for the use of patients at home where suitable
use can be made of them. By this means we are often enabled
to arrange for a patient to sleep alone and so lessen the risk of
infection. Forty-six beds are in use at present.