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72
Ancillary Services.
Dental Treatment.
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 1938. The following table shows the work carried out
during the year:—
Number of patients treated 15 Number of extractions 14
Patients' attendances 71 Number of dentures 9
Number of fillings 1
Artificial Pneumothorax Treatment.
When patients return home after a period of institutional treatment a certain number require
specific forms of therapy to be continued. The most common form in this category is the refills
necessary with artificial pneumothorax treatment. This treatment entails the collapse of the
affected lung by introducing air into the pleural cavity and thus enables the lung to be temporarily
put out of action and rested until firm healing has taken place, when the lung is allowed to re-expand
and function in a normal manner. Air has to be introduced in this fashion at intervals of approximately
once a fortnight, to maintain the collapse. Most of the patients attend Brompton hospital
for their refills, but arrangements are entered into with other hospitals when there is some difficulty
about time and travelling. The borough council accept financial responsibility for the cost of
treatment.
During the year 40 patients were undergoing this treatment and received 966 refills.
Gold Therapy.
Sanocrysin treatment is frequently used in certain cases which are unsuitable for collapse
therapy or in patients who have had one lung collapsed and whose other lung shows infiltration.
It enables the clinician to treat the disease in the contralateral lung whilst the collapsed lung is
healing. The council accept financial responsibility for the cost of this treatment in out-patients.
Artificial Light Treatment.
Artificial light treatment is available for any cases which will benefit by it. The cost of such
treatment is borne by the council.
Housing.
Tuberculosis has always been associated with bad housing conditions; and, with the general
improvement in the housing standards, there has been a concurrent reduction in the incidence of
the disease.
When tuberculous persons are found to be living in unsuitable conditions, and especially where
there is any difficulty in the patient having a room to himself, every endeavour is made to re-house
the family. These families are referred either to the council's housing department or to the London
county council for alternative accommodation, and preferential treatment is given to them.
Beds and Bedding.
The council provide a service of decided value which temporarily alleviates border-line housing
conditions by the lending of bed and bedding. This encourages the home isolation of the patient,
the object being to provide the patient with a separate bed and bedroom as this is a factor in preventing
the spread of infection in the home. This service is a great benefit while the patient is awaiting
residential treatment, or in cases where the family are awaiting the provision of better housing
accommodation.
In 1938, 26 patients had assistance under this heading for varying periods. The following
is a list of the articles lent:—
Bedsteads 19 Mattresses and covers 20
Pillow-slips 48 Pillows 44
Blankets 50 Sheets 68
Quilts 22
On 31st December, 1938, the following articles of bedding were on loan to 20 patients:—
Bedsteads 14 Mattreses and covers 14
Pillow-slips 38 Pillows 34
Blankets 40 Sheets 53
Quilts 17
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 109 patients received grants for varying
periods. These grants take the form of milk, eggs and butter or medicated dried milk, according
to the needs of individual cases.