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NURSING AND EXTRA NOURISHMENT.
The aid of the District Nursing Associations has been enlisted
in 76 cases during the year. Much can be done by careful nursing
to alleviate suffering and improve conditions, and as tuberculosis
is notably a slow disease the average number of visits paid to each
patient is high. During 1935 more than 5,000 visits were paid
by the district nurses to patients suffering from tuberculosis. 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 167 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 17 shelters at
present in use, 2 having been erected during the year and 7
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-four beds are in use at present.