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The total number of attendances at the Dispensary during the
year was 3,545, as compared with 3,741 in 1932.
Visits to the homes of dispensary patients were made by the
Tuberculosis Officers in 215 instances, and 4,080 visits were made
by the Dispensary nursing staff. The number of deaths of dispensary
patients was 106 as compared with 110 in 1932. Thirty-five
of the patients were discharged as "recovered" or "diagnosis not
confirmed" during the year, and 23 others ceased to attend, in
addition to 69 patients who removed to other districts.
Institutional Treatment.
The scheme of the London County Council for the provision
of institutional treatment for tuberculous patients was modified
bv them as from 1st April, 1933, when the distinction previously
made between "municipal" and "tuberculosis scheme" patients
ceased to operate.
The number of patients who received institutional treatment
under the scheme was 152, and the average length of stay was
110 days. The average period of waiting before admission was 11
days. Of these patients, 96 were discharged during the year,
leaving 56 under treatment at the end of the year. Definite
improvement as a result of institutional treatment was shown in
55 cases. Thirty patients discharged themselves while undergoing
institutional treatment.
Contributions of patients undergoing institutional treatment
were collected by the Dispensary and remitted to the L.C.C. to the
amount of £638 17s. 6d.
Artificial Pneumo-thorax Treatment.
The number of dispensary patients who received artificial
pneumo-thorax treatment during the year was 52, as compared
with 37 in 1932, and the refills given numbered 829, the cost to the
Council amounting to £435 4s. 6d.
Examinations and Reports.
Sputum examinations made during the year numbered 888,
of which 326 were received from medical practitioners. The number
of positive results was 193, or 21.7 per cent.
Reports to public bodies were made to the number of 1056.
Consultations with medical practitioners at the homes of
patients and reports made on patients sent to the Dispensary
totalled 698, while reports received in respect of insured persons
numbered 77 (Form G.P. 36, 77, form G.P. 17, 0).
There were 161 patients referred to hospitals, including 138 sent
to St. Thomas's for X-ray examination.