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Summary of the Work of the Tuberculosis Dispensary in 1925
Number of new persons examined 1,555
Number of old patients examined 1,532
Number of new patients sent by medical men for diagnosis or
consultation 614
Number of old patients sent by medical men for consultation 729
Total attendances of persons at the Dispensary 9,326
Number of new contacts examined 745
Number of patients referred to hospital for consultation 278
Total number of attendances of insured patients at the
Dispensary 3,849
Total number of attendances of uninsured patients at the
Dispensary 5,477
Total number of specimens of sputum examined in connection
with the work of the Dispensary 1,475
Number of home visits paid by tuberculosis officers 1,317
Number of home visits paid by the tuberculosis nurses 9,296
During the year 745 "home contacts" of tuberculous cases
were examined. 36 were found to be suffering from pulmonary
tuberculosis and 15 from non-pulmonary tuberculosis.
There was considerable co-operation between the practitioners
of the Borough and the Tuberculosis Dispensary in 1925. As
mentioned on another page, the number of new patients sent by
practitioners in 1925 for purposes of diagnosis and consultation
was 614, and the number of old patients sent for consultation
was 729. During the year 846 reports were received from practitioners on Form G.P. 36 in respect of 317 Insured patients who
were at some time of the year on domiciliary treatment.
It is doubtful if forms tend to foster the spirit of co-operation.
Co-operation between the School Medical Service and the Tuberculosis
Dispensary continues. The School Medical Officers
observe the child "contacts" of infectious cases of tuberculosis
and refer back to the Dispensary any cases requiring special consideration.
Co-operation between the Dispensary and King's
College Hospital has been very satisfactory, and the indebtedness
of the Dispensary to the physicians and surgeons of the
hospital is gratefully acknowledged. Co-operation between the
Tuberculosis Dispensary and St. Giles' Hospital has been fully
and pleasantly maintained. Co-operation with the Ministry
of Pensions continued, and included every ex-service pensioner
in the Borough pensioned for tuberculosis. Co-operation with
numerous voluntary bodies was close.
The Arrangements for following up Patients in Cases in which
the Diagnosis is Doubtful.
The patient is asked to return. A mutually convenient date
is fixed. If the appointment is not kept an appropriate letter is
sent—one that is not unmindful of possibilities—the patient may