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48
he desires to leave the Institution against medical advice. The
existing housing situation renders the prevention of infection in
the home very difficult, and in many cases it is impossible for a
patient to have a separate bed, and not infrequently families with
a member suffering from Tuberculosis are living in one room.
These unsatisfactory conditions make it difficult, if not impossible,
to prevent spread of infection, and advice given in such circumstances
as to precautions to be taken by patients is a counsel of
perfection. Nevertheless all possible steps are taken to assist
patients to take precautions and beds have been provided by the
Dispensary, which are loaned out to patients whose circumstances
are necessitous and urgent.
All cases of Tuberculosis notified to the Medical Officer of Health
are referred at once to the Dispensary, and steps are taken to secure,
where possible, the attendance of patients at the Dispensary, the
object aimed at being to see that every patient receives appropriate
treatment and, by advice, to secure the observance of all
precautions against the spread of infection.
There has been a gratifying reduction in the waiting period
in regard to patients requiring Institutional Treatment. The
average waiting period during 1924 for admission to Institutions
under the London County Council has been reduced from 29 to 18
days as compared with the previous year—and there has also been a
satisfactory speeding up in regard to the admission of urgent cases.
Advanced cases are removed to St. James's Hospital. This
Institution fulfils a very useful purpose in receiving and caring for
these cases, and in the opinion of the Tuberculosis Officer provides
a more suitable environment than would—as has been frequently
suggested for this type of case—Homes for Incurables in each
authority's area. It is probable that a large proportion of
patients themselves would object to enter such Homes owing to
the depressing effect on their minds and temperaments. Other
Institutions during the year to which advanced cases were sent
were Colindale Hospital, Liverpool Road Hospital, St. Luke's Home,
St. Joseph's Hospice and St. Columba's Home for the Dying.
The work of the Care Committee and of those bodies doing
philanthropic and social work represented on the Committee was
of an extensive and valuable character. Details will be found summarised
in the appended returns for the year 1924. The Committee,
which meets weekly, is composed of members of the Borough
Council and co-opted members, including consultative members
from philanthropic and charitable Associations who are working
in close co-operation with the Care Committee. The Committee
also receives material assistance from the Emergency Help Fund
of the British Red Cross Society and the Charity Organisation
Society, &c., and from its small fund is, with the aid from these
other bodies and private charitable donations, enabled to relieve
many cases in urgent need of assistance.