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65
X-Ray Diagnosis.
Prior to 1932, x-ray examination work in connection with the diagnosis of tuberculosis was
conducted free of charge at St. Mary Abbots Hospital, but in that year 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 examination, 7s. 6d. for the first photograph taken,
and 2s. 6d. for each subsequent one.
During the year, 119 x-ray examinations were conducted at the hospital at a total cost of
44 12s. 6d.
During 1935, more use has been made of the x-ray facilities provided. They have enabled the
tuberculosis officer to reach a diagnosis earlier and thus in cases where no definite evidence of the
disease could be ascertained, the patients have been relieved of a considerable amount of anxiety.
Home Visiting.
The number of home visits paid by the council's women health officers during the year was 2,166.
In addition to these, the various voluntary organisations represented on the after-care committee
visit the homes when so desired by the after-care committee, but unnecessary duplication of visiting
is avoided.
The Following-up of Patients in Cases of Doubtful Diagnosis.
Patients often do not realise the importance of allowing the tuberculosis officer to complete
his diagnosis.
When a patient under observation has failed to keep an appointment, he is visited at home by
a woman health officer, who gives him a definite appointment to attend at the dispensary. If he
fails to keep this appointment further visits are paid for the same purpose and the patient's medical
adviser is informed at an early date.
Examination and Systematic Supervision of Home Contacts.
There were 547 contacts traced by the dispensary service in 1935. Of these, 296 were
examined one or more times by the tuberculosis officer, 90 were examined by their own doctors
or had been recently examined at school, and 77 refused examination or failed to attend after
three appointments had been given them.
Eighty-four of the patients notified during the year had no " home contacts."
The endeavour to secure a second and subsequent examinations of the " home contacts " of
infectious cases after approximately one year's interval, especially young adult cases whose age
renders them more vulnerable, has been continued. These examinations are not included in the
above totals.
Dental Treatment of Tuberculous Persons.
Mr. A. Dreaper, l.d.s. (r.c.s.), who was appointed by the council in 1927 as dental officer,
continued to act in this capacity during 1935.

Artificial Pneumothorax Treatment.
In February, 1935, the London county council informed the metropolitan borough councils
that facilities for the provision of artificial pneumothorax treatment could be made available at a
number of their general hospitals, the refills to be provided at the request of the tuberculosis officer
at a charge of 10s. 6d. per refill. The borough council decided to avail themselves of these facilities,
but during the year the majority of the Kensington patients received refills at Brompton Hospital.
Other cases which received the initial artificial pneumothorax treatment whilst resident in institutions
returned to the same institutions for subsequent refills after discharge to their homes. In 1935
artificial pneumothorax treatment was provided in 20 cases at a cost of £126 10s. 6d.
Home Nursing.

The nurses carry out their work splendidly and are very much appreciated by the poor.
Supply of Extra Nourishment to Tuberculous Persons.
Ten persons received extra nourishment during the year. The cost to the council for milk and
eggs supplied was £4 19s. 6d.