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73
It should be clearly understood that "tuberculous
infection" or "infection" with Tubercle Bacilli does
not mean tuberculosis or consumption—the latter
being definite clinical indication that the individual
resistance has broken down and that actual disease
is present.
It is probable also that the repeated small
infections received in early life are responsible for
the formation of an individual resistance—or acquired
immunity — which is strongly protective in later
years.
Many of these "slightly infected" children are
kept under observation and supervision (may be
lasting for some years) and make good progress
without any special treatment. For those who
require more active measures, institutional treatment
is provided by the London County Council or the
Public Assistance Committee (on recommendation
from the Dispensary) in Sanatoria, Surgical Homes
and Convalescent Homes.
This will in most cases be sufficient to bring about
arrest of the disease: and many of these little patients
are afterwards admitted to Special Schools according
to their specific disability.
From Fulham and surrounding Boroughs notified
children (and contacts) are referred to the Elizabethan
Open Air School in Broomhouse Lane. These
children are largely those with mild "gland" disease,
and a few pulmonary cases of doubtful type where
"fibrosis" or scarring of the lung is all that can be
discovered by X-rays and after a period in Sanatorium.
The school accommodates sixty children, who
attend daily, and amongst whom are many whose
condition has never been sufficiently serious to
necessitate sanatorium treatment, and who are really
kept under open-air regime on general health principles.