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74
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 241 patients suffering from Pulmonary Tuberculosis:
129 were sharing a bed.
60 had a separate bed but not a separate room.
52 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, 28 patients
who were sharing a bed have now separate beds, and 10 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.
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 8,
and these are in constant use. Bedsteads and bedding have been
lent or supplied by the Council and other agencies. (See Report
of Care Committee).
At the close of 1926 the estimated number of persons suffering
from Tuberculosis and residing in the Borough was as
follows:—
Men. Women. Children. Total.
Pulmonary Tuberculosis 235 230 156 621
Non-Pulmonary 33 33 179 245
giving a total of 866 as against 804 in the previous year.
Dealing with the Dispensary itself, 798 new patients were
examined during the year. The sources from which these patients
came were as follow:—
Doctors 129
Hospitals 22
School Medical Service 38
Ministry of Pensions 6
Own Application 69
Nurses (Contacts) 534
Contacts.—Much of the nurses time is spent endeavouring
to secure the examination of every contact. This year, out of a
total of 668 Contacts, 505 or 75 per cent. were examined, of
whom 36 were found to be Tuberculous.