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patients will remain in institutions during varying periods of 1935 —
some will probably remain the whole year. The ultimate averages
are therefore to be reckoned as considerably higher. It should also
be remembered that a good many patients took their discharge
before completion of treatment, thereby reducing the possible
averages.
In July of the year under review, the London County Council
decided that in future no contribution should be required from
patients, or persons legally responsible for them, towards the cost of
the residential treatment of tuberculosis (except in respect of the
provision of dentures during treatment), or towards the cost of the
boarding-out of children under the powers conferred by the County
of London (Tuberculosis) Regulations, 1930. Voluntary contributions
will however be accepted by the London County Council
from patients or their relatives or guardians who feel that they
would like to make a payment and can afford to do so.
The Work of the Tuberculosis Care Committee.
A fund is required to carry out care work in tuberculosis. In
1934 the Care Committee took part in the Scheme of the National
Association for the Prevention of Tuberculosis, for the sale of
Christmas seals. After deduction of expenses amounting to
£24 18s. 3d. the Committee had a surplus of £153 13s. 7d. towards
its work.
The Secretary of the Care Committee has compiled the following
figures and items of information in relation to some of the work
in 1934:—
161 cases were helped in their application to the Public Assistance
Committee. Thus patients received money, food, extra diet,
clothes, etc.
4 cases were assisted in their application to the British Red
Cross Emergency Fund.
8 cases were assisted in their application to the United Services
Fund.
The Care Committee assisted the London County Council in
making arrangements for the institutional treatment of 393 patients.
Efforts were made to settle all difficulties that threatened to bring
patients home from sanatoria too soon.
Co-operation took place with the Charity Organisation Society
in 12 cases and with the Invalid Children's Aid Association in
64 cases.
The Committee co-operated with many families in which there
was a tuberculous member by endeavouring to obtain new homes for
them on the housing estates of the L.C.C. and elsewhere.
Patients were advised on questions concerning their employment.