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54
Institutional treatment is provided by the London County
Council for Battersea patients, this form of treatment being
arranged for in the majority of cases through the Tuberculosis
Dispensary.
The report of the Tuberculosis Medical Officer is set out in
the Appendix (pp. 122-7).
The principal work carried out at the Dispensary during 1928
is summarised as follows:—
Patients and Attendances.
The number of new patients was 629 (462 adults, 167 children),
and the number of contacts examined 170 (89 adults, 81 children).
There were 18 patients transferred from other areas during the
year who subsequently attended the Dispensary, making a total
of 817 new patients or contacts.
Of these 817 new patients and contacts 227 were found tuberculous,
and these with 2 previously "doubtful" cases made 229
new cases notified. This number included 109 cases also notified
by medical practitioners.
The total number of attendances at the Dispensary during the
year was 3,912.
Visits to the homes of dispensary patients were made by the
Tuberculous Officer in 181 instances, and 4,865 visits were made
by the Dispensary Nursing Staff. The number of deaths of dispensary
patients was 103. Thirteen of the patients were discharged
as "cured" or "disease arrested" during the year, and 34 others
ceased to attend, in addition to 53 patients who removed to other
districts.
Institutional Treatment.
The number of patients who received Institutional treatment
under the L.C.C. Tuberculosis Scheme was 137, and the average
length of stay was 112 days. The average period of waiting before
admission was 15 days. Material improvement as a result of
institutional treatment was shown in 59 cases. Thirty-two patients
discharged themselves while undergoing institutional treatment.
The number of dispensary patients admitted to St. James's
Hospital during the year was 28.
Contributions of patients undergoing institutional treatment
were collected by the Dispensary and remitted to the L.C.C. to the
amount of £684 6s. Od.
Examinations and Reports.
Sputum examinations made during the year numbered 1,398,
of which 517 were received from Medical practitioners, and 383
from St. James's Hospital. The number of positive examinations
was 282 or. 20.2 per cent.