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68
are only too anxious to come up for examination,
not only once but at repeated intervals, which of
course is the ideal arrangement.
Other families are quite the reverse, and it is
often very difficult to persuade them that it is a
matter for their own interest. Probably in a certain
number the "fear of being found consumptive" is
sufficient to keep them away: a factor often found
on taking case histories, as an excuse for not going
to the doctor when first ill.
Great credit is due to the members of the nursing
staff for their tact and success in getting so many
to attend.
Special Treatments.
Patients who require various specialized treatments
such as Artificial Pneumo-thorax, injections
of Sanocrysin and other gold preparations, operative
measures, and cauterisations for laryngeal tuberculosis,
are referred to the Brompton Hospital, with
which institution a very close touch is kept by the
Tuberculosis Officer.
Of these special treatments, the most usual are
Artificial Pneumo-thorax (or putting a diseased
lung at rest by the periodical admission of air into
the pleural space) and injections of gold preparations:
these two treatments may be carried out at the same
time in certain cases with considerable benefit.
The Borough Council pay for all such treatments
at the rate of 10/6 per pneumo-thorax refill and 3/for
gold injection, a suitable sum being provided
in the annual estimates.
In 1933, the total number of such treatments
was 341. Finsen Light irradiation for Lupus is
also carried out at the London Hospital, 212 applications
having been given (at a cost of £24-9-0) during
1933.