View report page

APPENDIX
Bethnal Green Tuberculosis Dispensary
REPORT FOR THE YEAR 1921
By H. Tylford Howell, M.R.C.S., Eng., L.R.C.P., Lond.,
Clinical Tuberculosis Officer.
There has been no change in the personnel of the Dispensary during the
year, and the department is fortunate in having retained the services of Dr.
Hamilton, the Junior Tuberculosis Officer, and also of the nurse and clerk.
As in 1920, the patients were seen from 10 to 12 on five mornings a week,
and from 7.30 to 9 on two evenings. Saturday mornings are reserved for
school children and for such adults as find it difficult or impossible to attend
at other times. This arrangement is popular with parents, as it does not
interfere with a child's regular attendance at school. In connection with the.
evening sessions it has been found that quite a number of patients came direct
from their business to the hospital, some as early as 6 o'clock. This neces
sitated their waiting from one to two hours before being seen. To meet this
difficulty it was decided, after consultation with the Medical Officers of Health,
that one evening session should commence at 5.30 p.m., the time of the other
remaining the same as before.
The accommodation of the department is still quite adequate to meet all
requirements, and judged by comparison with other London dispensaries, I
think we are exceptionally well equipped. We have at our disposal an office
where the Tuberculosis Officers do all their clerical work and where records
are kept. There is a second room for the use of the clerk, and a laboratory
for the examination of sputa. In addition to these there are two consulting
rooms, to each of which are attached two dressing-rooms and a dark room for
the examination of throat cases.
The Tuberculosis Officers may also make use of the special departments of
the Hospital. This is a most excellent arrangement, as it enables us to investigate
thoroughly a case on the spot, while in addition one has the advantage
of a personal interview with the consultant concerned. The mere fact that