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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 181 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 13 shelters at
present in use, 2 having been erected during the year and 6
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. Thirty-four beds are in use at present.
LADY ALMONER.
It is always a matter of difficulty to write an illuminating
comment upon the year's work of the Lady Almoner. This is
partly due to the fact that the work is so varied in nature, seldom
following consistent lines. Partly also the difficulty arises from
the very nature of the work which is concerned for the most part
with domestic details, and these, while of vital importance to the
families concerned, are hard to classify, and do not lend themselves