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66
Arrangements for Care and After-Care.
In 1922 the council established a tuberculosis care committee, whose primary duty is to
undertake the care and after-care of patients in the borough suffering from tuberculosis. Prior to
July, 1934, a considerable portion of the work of the committee was the assessment of patients
undergoing institutional treatment, but with the abolition of assessments by the county council
the care committee have been able to devote more time to the task for which they were originally
established.
The committee meet at the town hall and their meetings are well attended.
Arrangements for Finding Employment.
The difficulties of a care committee in securing work for persons whose physical capacity is
limited will be readily appreciated, but every effort is made in this matter.
In some instances the intervention of the tuberculosis care committee has induced employers
to hold open the positions of men about to undergo sanatorium treatment.
Handicrafts Class.
A class for glove making was started in October, 1931. Meetings are held weekly at the
Paddington tuberculosis dispensary, No. 20, Talbot Road. The class has been continued throughout
1935, and at the end of the year two patients from Kensington were in regular attendance. There
are at present a few vacancies in the class.
The Kensington borough council disinfect all gloves made by exposing them to formalin
vapour, which has been shown by experiment to be effective as a sterilizer without injuring the
texture or colour of the gloves.
Provision of Bedding for Home Isolation.
When it is found necessary to enable a patient to be isolated in his home and thus prevent the
spread of infection, the council lend bedsteads and bedding for use in the home.
In 1935, 31 patients had assistance under this heading for varying periods. The following is a
list of the articles lent :—
Bedsteads 24
Pillow-slips 64
Blankets 63
Quilts 29
Mattresses and covers ... ... ... 29
Pillows ... ... 60
Sheets ... ... ... 92
On the 31st December. 1935. the following articles of bedding were out on loan to 15 patients:—
Bedsteads 12
Pillow-slips ... ... ... ... 32
Blankets 31
Quilts 14
Mattresses and covers 14
Pillows ... ... ... ... ... 29
Sheets 45
Disinfection after Death or Removal to Hospital.
In all cases after death from tuberculosis the council offer disinfection. This offer is also
extended when patients enter hospitals or sanatoria and when they change their residence.
Disinfection is also carried out upon request by the tuberculosis officer or private doctors.
The following table shows the number of disinfections carried out during the year :—
Cases where bedding, etc., was disinfected by steam ... 196
Number of rooms disinfected 229
Bacteriological Examinations.
Specimens of sputum submitted by medical practitioners for bacteriological examination at the
expense of the council:—
Examined at the council's laboratory 339
Examined by the tuberculosis officer 341
Sputum Flasks.
These are supplied to patients who are infectious, and advice is given in regard to the disposal
of sputum.
I have the honour to be,
My Lord, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
JAMES FENTON,
Medical Officer of Health.