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102
It has now been decided to continue the scheme for a further
experimental period of 12 months. As a smaller amount of money is
available the London County Council state that the number of children
sent away must be reduced. We must be grateful that such a helpful
scheme continues—even in an abridged form.
Also during the past year the Care Committee have been asked to
obtain grants for dentures for patients who have had teeth extracted
free of cost at the dental clinic established at the dispensary. Both
the features are new developments and from their nature tend to show
that further schemes for the welfare of tubercular patients and their
families can be looked for.
The societies on which we rely for help have been generous as ever
and grants have been substantial and numerous. We go on asking
and invariably meet with response, sometimes, perhaps, because of our
importunity.
It was pointed out last year that the after-care work of the committee,
which is considered so important, was exceedingly. difficult,
owing to existing conditions as regards unemployment, housing, etc.
No improvement in the situation can be said to have taken place.
Patients still have to return from sanatorium to crowded, uncomfortable
home conditions. Suitable work in cases where patients are
unable to return to former employment is practically impossible to find.
This situation, apart from the economic side, tends to depress a patient,
and goes a long way to undo the good gained by treatment. Of course
the difficulty as regards work is increased by the fact that so often a
patient is only fit for light employment, and with more than enough
healthy persons seeking work one can hardly expect an employer to
take the risk of employing some who may have to give up as soon as
he becomes useful.
We must not, however, regard the position as hopeless, although at
present it seems so. The Care Committee and public bodies dealing
with tuberculosis are always trying to solve the problem. Suggestions
have been brought forward from time to time—for instance, the
question of special workshops has been under discussion. There are,
however, many difficulties in connection with any solutions, financial or
otherwise; we can only hope that it will be solved in time, and that the
urgent need will ultimately bring fulfilment. At present all that can
be done is to ascertain if help is required in any form, if so, to refer
the case to an appropriate society or body, suggest any little alteration