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99
would help if all would remember that Tuberculosis is the effect of
many causes, and in remembering realise individual responsibility.
Public opinion can remove even the "mountains" of slumdom. The
future of the children in these homes in close contact with tuberculous
patients fills us with anxious fears. We are glad to be able to report
that the scheme for boarding-out children is still in existence, but this
can only be applied in cases where the patient with whom they are in
contact is in an advanced state and not likely to live for any lengthy
period. This is a most valuable scheme and is more than "twice
blessed," as in addition to removing children from the source of
infection it builds up their health, and often gives them a conception
of another kind of life, and one cannot help but feel that the beautiful
and natural surroundings among which the " homes " are generally
situated, make an impression on the childish minds that may bear fruit
in future.
This year 11 cases were recommended to and accepted by the
London Council for boarding-out. In one case the parents reconsidered
thei- decision, so that 10 children were actually sent away. Out of
these 10, only in one instance is the patient with whom they were in
contact alive. Unfortunately, in some cases where the need for
removing children has become specially urgent, the parents have
refused to part with them.
Our appeals to local and other charitable agencies have as usual,
met with a ready response, and the thanks of the Committee have been
conveyed to the individual societies. Without their assistance it would
be exceedingly difficult to carry out the work; under existing conditions
help must be obtained from somewhere. To be unable to relieve the
distress we meet, to even the small extent that we can do, would be
heartbreaking.
To complete our report we will give a few specimen cases to illustrate
the necessity for, and value of, the help we ask for and receive :
(l) Man with wife and one child, found to be suffering from tuberculosis
and recommended for institutional treatment. He had always
been in work and a provident man, so for the first three months of
treatment his National Health Insurance benefits supplemented by
payments from his sick clubs, provided a sufficient income to maintain
the home during his absence. At the end of this period he wisely