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means to be adopted for giving practical effect to his recommendations as to open-air treatment and
the prevention of infection. The second object of the visit, and an object which is of primary
importance, is the examination of members of the patient's family for signs of incipient or advanced
consumption. Tne visit of the doctor is then followed by a visit from the Dispensary nurse, who
gives further assistance to the patient in following the advice he has received. Sanatorium
treatment is provided on a limited scale, efforts are made to persuade advanced cases to enter the
Infirmary, and the various needs of the patients are, so far as possible, met by a system of close
co-operation with appropriate charitable agencies/ In the space available it is impossible to give
an adequate description of the work of the Dispensary, and for further details reference should be
made to the Report of the Dispensary Medical Officer for the year 1911, which will shortly be
published.
During the last half of the year 1910, 157 consumptive persons residing in North Kensington
received treatment at the Dispensary; the notifications of persons suffering from consumption
received during the whole of the year 1911, amounted to 323.
Special Provision by the Council.—As the result of two detailed reports submitted by
the Infectious Diseases Sub-Committee on December 21st, 1910, and on January 20th, 1911, the
Council have decided to make further provision for the prevention of consumption by adopting the
measures described in the following resolution:—
(i.) That no action be taken in the direction of urging upon the Metropolitan Asylums Board
the need for establishing Sanatoria for advanced cases of consumption.
(ii.) That, as an experiment, a bed be maintained by the Council in Benenden Sanatorium or
some other similar Institution for a period of twelve months, for the treatment of early
cases of consumption, at a cost not exceeding £78, and that further beds, not exceeding
five in number, be engaged as required during the same period at a cost of 30s. per week
each while occupied.
(iii.) That at the outset one open-air shelter be provided at a cost of £8 and lent for the home
use of consumptives, and that further shelters, not exceeding five, be obtained as required
to replace those lent.
(iv.) That, as an experiment, the Medical Officer of Health be authorised to provide an
additional bed in one or two selected cases where the conditions of occupation render such
provision advisable, and where the means of the patients or their relatives do not, in his
opinion, permit of the extra accommodation being obtained at their own expense.
(v.) That, subject to the necessary provision being made in the Estimates for the ensuing
financial year, the Medical Officer of Health be authorised, in conjunction with the Medical
Officer of the Kensington and Paddington Tuberculosis Dispensary, to give effect to the
foregoing recommendations as from the 1st April next.
The foregoing resolution was passed by the Council at their meeting on February 28th, 1911,
A suggestion by the Medical Officer of Health, that on payment by the patient of a
minimum sum of 7s. 6d. or 10s. per week the Council should retain beds in an institution, such as
St. Luke's Home, for advanced consumptives, did not pass the Public Health Committee. There
is thus still no provision in the Borough for advanced consumptives who are able to contribute
towards their maintenance in an institution, and who are not eligible for admission to the infirmary.
In accordance with the terms of the Council's resolution the following provision has been made
during the year for phthisical patients residing in Kensington.
Additional Beds.—Five beds provided at the Council's expense have been lent to consumptive
persons for the purpose of preventing the spread of infection.
Case 1. The patient, F. G., a girl aged 12 years, was notified by the Dispensary as suffering
from consumption on November 17th. She was visited on December 4th by the Council's Lady
Inspector and found to be occupying the same bed with her three healthy sisters. Bed provided
and placed beneath window. I he parents are contributing Is. a week with a view to purchasing
the bed.
Case 2. The patient, E. C., a girl aged 15 years, was notified by the Dispensary on May 12th.
She was visited by the inspector on May 25th, and found to be sleeping in the same bed with her
mother, who was in the last stages of consumption. Her sisters in the same room, which is large
and airy, occupied a separate bed. Third bed provided.