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The number of patients on the dispensary register on 31st December, 1932, was 858, whilst
at the beginning of the year they numbered 883.
A comparison of the dispensary figures with the total number on the notification register
(1,000) shows that the majority of the tuberculosis cases are dealt with through the council's
scheme—over 80 per cent.
Residential Institutional Treatment, Light Treatment, X-Ray Diagnosis, etc.
Prior to the 1st April, 1932, X-ray examination work in connection with the diagnosis of tuberculous
patients was conducted free of charge at St. Mary Abbots Hospital, but on that date a new
agreement was entered into between the borough council and the London county council whereby
the latter body undertake this work at a cost of 7s. 6d. for each X-ray examination, 7s. 6d. for the
first photograph taken and 2s. 6d. for each subsequent one. As the council's tuberculosis officer,
visits St. Mary Abbots Hospital by arrangement, at least once a week, and is able to see the patients
under X-ray examination, a photograph is not always necessary ; thus the expenditure incurred by
the council for this service is limited.
During the year, 12 X-ray examinations were conducted free of charge and 31 at a total cost
of £11 7s. 6d.
Home Visiting.

Housing conditions form an important element in regard to tuberculosis, and home visits are
valuable in this connection. The sleeping arrangements are frequently unsatisfactory and the
women health officers always enquire into them. Wherever possible, desirable alterations are
pointed out and urged upon the family.
Reports are also made upon sanitary defects and special economic and other difficulties, and
efforts are made to deal with them.
These visits are additional to those made by the Charity Organisation Society and the Invalid
Children's Aid Association, who undertake the weekly collection of any assessment made in con¬nection
with treatment in residential institutions under the London county council's tuberculosis
scheme.
The following table, giving the number of rooms occupied by the families of definite cases of
tuberculosis diagnosed in 1932 by the tuberculosis officer, and the number of occupants ascertained
by the women health officers on their visits to the homes, is inserted to show the difficulties
experienced in securing home isolation in many cases :—