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67
glands, abdomen and skin. An attempt to treat a few cases of
Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Adults had to be abandoned for lack
of accommodation. Preference has been always given to the
children.
The technique employed is simple. The patients are treated
either in a sitting or standing position, naked except for drawers.
They are arranged round each lamp. Front and back are exposed
alternately, care being taken when the anterior surface is exposed
that the eyes are adequately protected by suitable shades or glasses.
From 6 to 8 patients per lamp can be treated at a time. The length
of exposure begins at 5 minutes, gradually increased according to
reaction to 1½-2 hours. Temperature and pulse are taken before
and after exposure. Owing to lack of accommodation treatment
can only be given twice weekly.
At the end of the year 26 patients had completed treatment and
4 had been discharged for irregular attendance.
After such a short time and with such a small number of patients
one has no desire to exaggerate the benefits derived, but one thing,
however, can be said, and that is that no bad results have to be
recorded. On the contrary the general condition of the children
has improved to a remarkable extent and it is earnestly hoped that
the installation may be extended in the near future.
Occupation.—As indicated last year, there are no industries
in the Borough which have any special bearing upon the Incidence
of Tuberculosis, and the occupations of notified cases in 1925 shows
no marked difference to those quoted last year.
Housing.—The Housing condition presents little improvement
and much overcrowding exists, many examples continue to be
brought to the notice of the Public Health Committee by the Care
Committee. It follows that the sleeping arrangements continue
a very serious difficulty in the problems of infection. Of 266
patients suffering from Pulmonary Tuberculosis,
160 were sharing a bed.
58 had a separate bed but not a separate room.
48 had a separate room and a separate bed.
As a result of much persuasion and perseverance on the part of
the Tuberculosis nurses and the Care Committee, 18 patients w ho
were sharing a bed have now separate beds, and 4 patients, who
each shared a bed with three others, have had their sleeping arrangements
so altered as to have only one partner; not an ideal arrangement,
but the best that could be done under the circumstances,
and a great improvement on the original state as found by the
nurses.