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68
Apart from overcrowding, many sanitary defects have been
reported to and dealt with by the Public Health Department.
The Council has now increased the number of shelters to 6,
and these are in constant use. Another 2 have been ordered.
Bedsteads and bedding have been lent or supplied by the Council
and other agencies. (See Report of Care Committee.)
By careful and frequent revision the Registers have been considerably
curtailed by the removal of names of persons who were
found to be showing no evidence of active disease over a period of
5 years or more. By this means a large amount of home visitation
where such is not required has been obviated, and it will now be
possible to concentrate the energies of the Dispensary staff upon
the closer supervision of persons who are suffering from active
disease. At the close of 1925 the estimated number of persons
suffering from Tuberculosis and residing in the Borough was as
follows :—
Men. Women. Children. Total.
Pulmonary Tuberculosis 221 223 134 578
Non Pulmonary 29 30 167 226
giving a total of 804 as against 764 in the previous year.
Dealing with the Dispensary itself, 881 new patients were
examined during the year. The sources from which these patients
came are as follows :—
Doctors 247
Hospitals 17
School Medical Service 39
Ministry of Pensions 3
Own Application 77
Nurses (Contacts) 498
Contacts.—Much of the nurses' time is spent endeavouring
to secure the examination of every contact. This year, out of a
total of 690 Contacts, 530 or 76 per cent. were examined, of whom
44 were found to be Tuberculous. In addition, 91 Contacts were
examined more than once before arriving at a definite diagnosis.
The work of the Dispensary is shown in the statistical table
on page 73 and explains itself.
Sanatorium Treatment.—During the year 162 patients were
sent to sanatoria, 111 under the County Scheme, 37 through the
Guardians, and 14 through other sources. The average duration of
residence remains the same, and the same difficulties remain in
finding suitable employment for those discharged fit for work.