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72
will convey a more accurate impression of the valuable
work done :—
A.—Was a lad of eighteen who worked as a mixer of fruit drinks
before his illness. He was sent under the London County Council's
tuberculosis scheme first to Brompton and then to Godalming,
where he did very well. On his discharge the Care Committee got
in touch with the Welfare Department of his firm, asking for more
suitable work to be given him. A light open-air job was found,
which he has now had for five months and in which he has maintained
his recovered health.
B.—Had broken down in health when first we heard of him.
He was under the Middlesex Hospital, but his wife and children
were persuaded by the Dispensary Nurse to be examined as Contacts,
and as the two children were found to be very debilitated
after pneumonia, they were referred to the Invalid Children's Aid
Association for convalescence and were sent to Worthing. The
mother, relieved temporarily of their care, was able to make arrangements
for the future, which necessitated her becoming the breadwinner
of the family, as B. died while away in sanatorium.
C.—Was a married woman with three small children, and when
it was necessary for her to go away for treatment, arrangements
had first to be made for the family. As the husband was an exservice
man, the children were referred to the United Services Fund,
by whom they were sent down to a " Home " at Yarmouth. On
the return of the patient from sanatorium, as it was still desirable
that the children should not be with her, they were referred to the
London County Council for boarding-out under the Contacts scheme
and were accepted. They are still away, and will, we hope, remain
so until better accommodation can be found for the family on one
of the L.C.C. housing estates.
D.—Was a woman suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis who
had had no holiday in her married life, and who was losing weight
and going downhill under stress of daily work, plus home duties.
The husband was in work at the time and his mother agreed to look
after the four children while the patient was away. Extra nourishment
was given from the Town Hall until a vacancy could be obtained,
and D. finally departed for Broadstairs, where she was
extremely happy. However, one Friday, we learnt by telephone
that she had been summoned home, and unless she could return
on the Monday the vacancy would be filled. A visit to the home
showed that the husband was now out of work and could not afford
to pay for the care of the children. D. was advised to apply to
the Guardians on the Saturday and to come to the Dispensary on
the Monday, and a letter to the Clerk to the Guardians made him
aware of the facts of the case. D. appeared on the Monday, saying
the Guardians were providing for the family, so that she could
return to Broadstairs, but she had no money for the fare and the