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vision, the number of tuberculous patients on the
Register has dropped from 1,117 to 902. This in itself
is advantageous since it permits of a closer concentration
by the Staff on patients whom we feel it necessary
to keep under frequent observation both in their
own homes and at the Dispensary itself.
The number of persons who have attended the
clinics during the year has risen from 1,465 to 1,602
but the number of attendances made has diminished,
the figures being 4,278 for 1927 as against 4,716 in
1926. It is the policy of the Medical Staff to make
complete physical examinations at as frequent intervals
as possible, and the number of such examinations made
during the year reached the high figure of 3,847. In
my opinion this is one of the most important features
of our work. It is well known that the Ministry of
Health does not sanction the routine treatment of
patients at dispensaries, and not only does frequent
examination of those who attend reveal any early
changes that may be taking place in the course of
the disease, but the mere fact that a patient has been
examined tends to engender his confidence, and to
suggest to him that a personal interest is being taken
in his welfare which goes a long way to discount any
disappointment he may feel on being told that he is
not entitled to receive cod liver oil, medicines, etc.
The number of contacts examined still remains at
a high level, and was 479 in 1927. This is a most
important side of tuberculosis work, and the figures
recorded this year are a tribute to the energy of the
Nursing Staff on whom the chief duty of securing
these persons devolves and who during the year with
this and other objects have paid 5,422 visits to the
homes of the patients. It will also be seen that the
number of domiciliary visits made by the Medical
Officers has increased and was in fact in excess of what
would probably be necessary in an average year, the
chief reason for this of course being the desire of the
Tuberculosis Officer during his first year in the Borough
to make himself acquainted as rapidly as possible with
the housing conditions of the patients.