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The Necessity for Early Treatment to Ensure the Prospects
of Recovery.
Under the L.C.C. Residential Institutional Scheme patients
suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis are, as a rule, sent away
within two weeks of application.
Information as to Special Methods of Diagnosis and Treatment
in Use and the Number of Persons to whom these
Special Methods have been Applied.
We have placed chief reliance on accurate history taking,
careful reading of symptoms, temperature charting and pulse
study, physical examination and repeated sputum testing in
tubercle negative cases. When the above methods are not
neglected in the diagnosis of a case the use of X-rays is of the
highest value. Special arrangements exist with King's College
Hospital for X-ray examination of patients. During 1936, 666
patients were sent to King's College Hospital for X-ray examination.
All our patients while under Residential treatment were X-rayed
on various occasions. The same applies to A.P. cases.
Artificial pneumothorax treatment is available for suitable
dispensary cases and may be carried out while the patient is in a
residential institution, or later while on home treatment. By
arrangement, artificial pneumothorax treatment can be given at the
following hospitals to patients who are receiving general treatment
at home Brompton, St. Thomas's, Guy's, Grove Park, Colindale,
King's College, Margaret Street. During 1936, 69 dispensary
patients had artificial pneumothorax treatment at one or the other
of these hospitals. This does not include dispensary patients who
were receiving artificial pneumothorax treatment in sanatoria at
December 31st, 1936. Such surgical methods as phrenic evulsion
and thoracoplasty are available under the scheme for dispensary
patients, and the former operation is coming more and more
into use.
Finsen light is available for dispensary patients who have
Lupus vulgaris. Two dispensary patients had this treatment at
the London Hospital during the year.
Work of Tuberculosis Nurses.
The tuberculosis nurses paid 9,223 visits to the homes of tuberculous
patients during the year 1936.
Nursing Patients.
We have been able to obtain a District Nurse whenever one
was required. In the majority of cases, however, it is better to
urge the removal of a patient who is confined to bed to hospital.