View report page

60
Institutional Treatment.
The number of patients who received institutional treatment
under the L.C.C. Tuberculosis Scheme was 104, and the average
length of stay was 124 days. The average period of waiting before
admission was 14 days. Definite improvement as a result of
institutional treatment was shown in 34 cases. Seventeen patients
discharged themselves while undergoing institutional treatment.
The number of Dispensary patients admitted to the L.C.C. Hospitals
during the year (not included in the 104 cases mentioned above)
was 27.
Thirty-seven patients received Artificial Pneumothorax treatment
during the year at various hospitals, the number of refills
given being 448, and the cost approximately £235.
Contributions of patients undergoing institutional treatment
were collected by the Dispensary and remitted to the L.C.C. to the
amount of £524 2s. 6d.
Examinations and Reports.
Sputum examinations made during the year numbered 917,
of which 305 were received from medical practitioners. The number
of positive results was 209, or 22.8 per cent.
Reports to public bodies were made to the number of 1106.
Consultations with medical practitioners at the houses of
patients and reports made on patients sent to the Dispensary
totalled 766, while reports received in respect of insured persons
numbered 95 (Form G.P. 36, 95, form G.P. 17, 0).
There were 133 patients referred to hospitals, including 112 sent
to St. Thomas's for X-ray examination.
Artificial Sunlight Treatment.
During the year 7 patients received treatment for surgical
tuberculosis at the Council's artificial sunlight treatment centre
at Southlands (vide page 43). In 5 cases treatment was completed,
and 2 cases remained under treatment at the end of the year. The
average period of treatment in the 5 completed cases was 342 days,
and the result of the treatment in these cases is shown on page
126.
The work is carried out by one of the Dispensary nurses under
the direction of the Tuberculosis Medical Officer.
In the Appendix (pages 136 to 140) will be found Form T. 145,
which contains the returns required by the Ministry of Health
of the work of the Dispensary during the year 1932, and Form T.
145a, which shows in a summarised form the condition of all patients
whose case records were in possession of the Dispensary at the end
of 1932, arranged according to the years (from 1921 to 1932) in
which the patients first came under public medical treatment for
pulmonary and non-pulmonary tuberculosis.