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in a summarised form the condition of all patients whose case
records were in possession of the Dispensary at the end of 1934,
arranged according to the years (from 1921 to 1934) in which
the patients first came under public medical treatment for pulmonary
and non-pulmonary tuberculosis.
The Tuberculosis Care Committee.
This Committee, the constitution of which is set out on page 2,
met fortnightly throughout the year at the Dispensary.
The following is a summary of the work carried out by the
Committee during 1934 :—
Battersea Borough Council—extra nourishment, 108 ;
dentures, 8 116
Public Assistance Committee—financial assistance, 4 ;
nourishment, 5; clothing, 11 ; dentures, 1 ;
boarding-out children, 1 ; other assistance, 1 23
Charity Organisation Society—financial assistance, 2 ;
clothing, 1 ; boarding out of children, 1 4
United Services Fund and British Legion—financial
assistance, 4; clothing, 3 7
Other Agencies—financial assistance, 2 ; dentures, 3 ;
clothing, 5 10
Training and Employment—Charity Organisation
Society, 2 ; other suitable agencies, 3 5
The following are some illustrations of the work done by the
Care Committee throughout the year :—
M.L., aged 53. A widow living with her daughter, aged 15, in one
room, unwilling to receive institutional treatment on account of leaving
daughter alone, had no income, was badly in need of clothing, and daughter
wished to complete her training at a commercial school.
The Committee arranged for care of daughter by relatives with whom
they kept in touch. Clothing was supplied and rent of room paid to
enable home to be retained. Daughter's fare paid to enable her to visit
mother. Separate bed provided for daughter when mother discharged.
M.F., aged 58. A single woman living alone in one room, only
income disablement benefit, drawing on her savings and unwilling to
apply for assistance or accept institutional treatment.
The Committee obtained for her extra nourishment, paid her fares
for a holiday with relatives and granted her pocket money while there.
T.S., aged 24. A labourer living with widowed mother, of whom
he was the main support, demurred to institutional treatment on account
of his mother.
The Committee obtained financial help for the mother throughout
son's absence, paid her fares to visit patient at intervals and also obtained
his fares home when granted week-end leave.
C.B., aged 24. A daily worker living at home and partly supporting
her mother. Patient unable to obtain sufficient nourishment while
waiting for a vacancy in hospital, was also in need of clothing, not entitled
to sickness benefit on account of arrears of contributions.
The Committee obtained a grant of extra nourishment and provided
clothing. They also advanced the arrears of her insurance contributions
and patient then received full benefit.