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Extra Nourishment.
It is well known that the nutrition of the tuberculous patient must be adequately maintained
after undergoing residential treatment, so that he can derive full benefit from the convalescence.
Patients awaiting admission to a sanatorium, or who have some intercurrent disease lowering their
resistance, also require extra nourishment. During the year 89 patients received grants of nourishment
for varying periods.
Residential Treatment.
There has been no financial obligation on the patients or their dependents in respect of residential
treatment provided by the London county council since 1934, and thus a larger number of
patients are willing to participate in the benefits. In addition the number of beds available has
increased and the variety of hospitals, sanatoria and colonies has assisted in encouraging the patients
to remain for longer periods under treatment, this being essential even in the early stages of the
disease. Methods of treatment have also improved in recent years and all this has meant that fewer
patients are discharged in a condition which necessitates home nursing by persons not fully realising
the dangers of infection.
On 1st January, 1937, 140 patients on the dispensary register were undergoing residential
treatment in hospitals, sanatoria or colonies. During the year, 301 cases were admitted, 228 cases
were discharged and 60 died in institutions. Of the patients discharged, 95 had been in hospital
under three months, 85 three to six months, 36 six to twelve months, and 12 over twelve months.

The nurses carry out their work splendidly and are very much appreciated.
Care Committee.
In 1922 the council established a tuberculosis care committee, whose primary duty is to undertake
the care and after-care of patients suffering from tuberculosis. Prior to July, 1934, a considerable
portion of the work of the committee was the assessment of patients undergoing residential
treatment, but from that date assessments were abolished. The council appreciate the co-operation
of the representatives of the voluntary associations in their work of supervising the after-care of
tuberculous persons.
General.
Eighty-five per cent, of the cases of tuberculosis in Kensington are dealt with under the council's
scheme ; 66 per cent, of those persons who came in close contact with cases of tuberculosis are
medically examined and, if necessary, supervised under the council's scheme ; the proportion of
beds available in London county council hospitals, etc., for Kensington patients is 120 to every
100 deaths from this disease. These figures show that an efficient campaign against tuberculosis
is being conducted.
Public Health (Prevention of Tuberculosis) Regulations, 1925.
These regulations were introduced with a view to :—
(a) preventing persons suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis entering upon an
occupation involving the handling of milk ; and
(b) enabling local authorities, in proper cases and with suitable safeguards, to require
persons engaged in such occupation to discontinue their work when found to be
suffering from the disease in an infective stage.
During the year, no case occurred which required the attention of the council under the
regulations.
I have the honour to be,
My Lord, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
JAMES FENTON,
Medical Officer of Health.