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117
early stages and possibly through fear and ignorance, does not
consult his own doctor soon enough. The facilities for diagnosis
at the Tuberculosis Dispensary are utilised to a very large extent
by the general practitioners and it is to a great extent by the
co-operation of the doctors in the area that an institution such as
this can fulfil its proper functions. It is gratifying to note, therefore,
that of the 709 new patients attending the Dispensary during the
year (excluding transfer cases) 478 were sent to the Dispensary
for an opinion or advice by their own doctors. In addition 619
specimens of sputum were sent to the Dispensary for examination
by doctors. The Dispensary is affiliated to St. Thomas's Hospital
and much help is derived from the Tuberculosis Department there
in seeing Battersea patients and sending them for X-ray examination
and to the throat department of the hospital for a specialist's
opinion. Such assistance is very valuable in doubtful cases.
Several patients have been admitted to the wards of the Tuberculosis
Officer at the Hospital for artificial pneumo-thorax treatment and
have derived much benefit from this form of treatment.
The London County Council is responsible for the provision
of institutional treatment for patients suffering from Tuberculosis,
pulmonary and non-pulmonary. During the year 186 patients
were sent away to various institutions under the London
County Council's Scheme. Of these, 118 were discharged during
the year and 68 were still in institutions on December 31st. The
average length of stay of the 118 patients was 112 days and the
average waiting period between recommendation for admission
and admission was 15 days. 82 patients showed definite improvement
as a result of institutional treatment; 49 patients were
discharged at their own request. In addition to the institutional
treatment provided by the London County Council 31 patients
were admitted during the year to St. James's Hospital, Balham.
In some of those cases admission to one or other of the Council's
institutions had been refused and in others it was considered
desirable that they be admitted to St. James's Hospital prior
to entering one of the Council's institutions.
During the year 731 new patients, including 22 transfer
cases from other areas, attended the Dispensary, being an increase
of 90 over the previous year.
Of the 731 new patients, 222 were found to be suffering from
Pulmonary Tuberculosis and 36 from Non-Pulmonary Tuberculosis.
In Table I the Pulmonary cases are grouped under two
headings:—
(1) Group T.B. Minus. In those cases Tubercle Bacilli
have never been found to be present in the sputum.
(2) Group T.B. Plus. In those cases Tubercle Bacilli have
been found in the sputum at some time.