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79
Specimen Cases:—
A. was a serving soldier when found to be suffering
from pulmonary tuberculosis and was sent straight to
Netley Hospital from the Barracks, while his wife
and seven children settled down in one room in Fulham
in the autumn of 1931. A. had prolonged
institutional treatment during which time unsuccessful
efforts were made to find better accommodation for
the family. In the summer of 1932, the Public
Assistance Committee placed three of the children in
their Schools but the home was still overcrowded. A.
was home for a short period and was then admitted to
Fulham Hospital and from there to Preston Hall Colony.
He returned home in September, 1933, as the family
were obliged to move owing to the house in which they
lived being sold. A bungalow, standing in a large garden
in the country in Kent was found, and through the cooperation
of the National Association for the Prevention
of Tuberculosis, the British Legion and various Army
Charities, furniture was procured and the whole family
moved down to the new home in November.
A letter received from A. at Easter gave a glowing
account of the health of his wife and children and the
planting, etc. of the garden. He has his "ups and downs"
but is keeping under medical supervision, and is extremely
grateful for the help which enabled him to make a fresh
start in suitable surroundings.
B. was a waitress who, on her discharge from sanatorium
came to stay with a sister hoping to obtain work.
She had arrears of insurance benefit which enabled her
to carry on, but by the time she had found a post down
at Clacton-on-Sea, these were exhausted and she had
not the money to pay for her fare. The letter engaging
her was seen, and as it seemed unwise to let her miss
the chance of work under suitable conditions, the fare
was advanced and she went off the same afternoon. She
wrote after some weeks to say she had settled down in
the place and had put herself in touch with the Public
Health Authorities as advised, and her case has therefore
been transferred to the Essex County Council.
C. came to live in Fulham on her discharge from Frimley.
Her husband had died from tuberculosis and she had
supported herself as a lady's maid until she fell ill. When
we first knew her, her only income was her disablement
benefit; but she was confident of being able to support
herself by needlework if only she could get a connection
together. Extra nourishment was given from the Town