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54
During 1926 there were 166 deaths from Tuberculosis registered
as belonging to the Borough of Battersea. Of this number 141
(i.e. 84.9 per cent.) were due to pulmonary tuberculosis, 9 (i.e.
5.4 per cent.) to tubercular meningitis and 16 (i.e. 9.7 per cent.)
to other forms of the disease.
In 1925 the number of deaths from tubercular diseases was
199.
Of the 166 deaths registered from Tuberculosis during the year
28 cases were not notified until one month before death ; in 10 cases
the notifications were received after death, and in 13 cases no
notification was received.
Of the 13 cases in respect of which no primary notification was
received 5 were patients who died in hospitals, infirmaries or nursing
homes. Of the remaining cases 7 were under treatment by private
medical practitioners, and of these 2 had been certified to the
Medical Officers of Health of other districts, while one was certified
by the coroner after inquest.
Of the 10 cases notified after death 1 (pulmonary) was notified
by a private medical practitioner, 6 (3 pulmonary, 3 non-pulmonary)
from Poor Law Institutions and 3 (2 pulmonary and 1 non-pulmonary)
by hospitals or asylums.
Tuberculosis Dispensary.
The work of the Battersea Tuberculosis Dispensary, which has
been under the direct control of the Council as part of their scheme
for the prevention of tuberculosis since 1921, was carried on with
the usual routine during 1926. It is anticipated, now that part
of the buildings at Southlands College is available for conversion
and adaptation for the purpose of a modern and well-equipped
Tuberculosis Dispensary, that the work will soon be proceeded
with, as the existing dispensary building is quite inadequate for
the needs of the Borough.
The Dispensary is affiliated to St. Thomas's Hospital, which
provides facilities in difficulties arising in diagnosis—e.g., X-ray
examinations and for cases needing artificial pneumothorax refills,
&c. Co-operation with other hospitals is maintained and patients
attending the Dispensary and found to be suffering from conditions
other than Tuberculosis requiring treatment are referred to appropriate
institutions.
The staff of the Dispensary consists of a Tuberculosis Medical
Officer, 3 Nurses, Secretary, Typist-and two Junior Clerks. There
are also Caretakers (man and wife) living on the premises.
The Dispensary treatment of school children is carried on in
close co-operation with the School Medical Service, and the Springwell
House Open Air School on Clapham Common North Side, has,
in this connection, carried on useful work during the year, particulars
of which will be found on p. 56.