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on their discharge. The majority of the Dispensary patients get
their "refills" at Brompton Hospital. Artificial Pneumothorax
treatment is, as a rule, continued over a number of years, "refills"
being given at intervals of two or three weeks, and as a consequence
the financial cost to the Council for this treatment is an increasing
one.
As in former years the majority of new patients who attend the
Dispensary are sent for an opinion and advice by their own doctors.
Routine treatment is only undertaken in those cases who have no
doctor and who are unable to afford private medical attention.
All insured patients are referred to their own doctors for treatment,
attending the Dispensary at intervals for observation. The
Tuberculosis Dispensary acts mainly as a centre for diagnosis and
as a clearing house. It is also a centre for the examination of
"Contacts." It is highly desirable that there should be very close
co-operation between the medical practitioners in the area and the
medical staff of the Dispensary.
The early diagnosis of Pulmonary Tuberculosis, which is often
a matter of no little difficulty, is of such supreme importance that
every effort is made at the Dispensary to arrive at a correct diagnosis
with as little delay as possible. In this connection doubtful cases
of Tuberculosis are sent to St. Thomas's Hospital for X-ray examination
and for a further opinion. The London County Council, also,
on the recommendation of the Tuberculosis Officers, is prepared to
admit patients in whom the diagnosis is in doubt to Brompton
Hospital or some similar institution with a view to closer observation
under its Tuberculosis Scheme. In this direction it is hoped that
medical practitioners may find the Dispensary useful and that
they will make use of the facilities provided there for early diagnosis.
Institutional treatment is provided by the London County Council
on the recommendation of the Tuberculosis Officers, and, as in
former years, on the patient's return from an institution, a full
report of his condition on discharge is sent to his own doctor.
During the year the Tuberculosis Care Committee has met
weekly at Southlands and much valuable work has been done in
this connection by way of assisting patients and their families in
various ways. Extra nourishment has been supplied to patients
as an aid to treatment in necessitous cases on the recommendation
of the Care Committee, and patients have been referred to various
charitable organisations for financial and other assistance.
Treatment of patients suffering from Non-Pulmonary Tuberculosis
by artificial light has been continued during the year.
Seven patients have received this form of treatment and the results
are set out in the table below.
During the year 603 new patients, including 18 transfer cases
from other areas, attended the Dispensary being 41 fewer than in
the previous year.