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29
TUBERCULOSIS.
The Tuberculosis Dispensary, which was founded by a voluntary
.Society in 1911, was, in the first instance, situated in a private house
in Battersea Bridge Road.
The Staff originally consisted of a Tuberculosis Officer, Nurse,
Dispenser, Secretary and Resident Caretakers. In 1917 an additional
Appointment of Health Visitor and Assistant Secretary (joint appointment)
was made, but in the subsequent year, on the resignation of the
Secretary, her place was filled by the Health Visitor/Assistant
Secretary.
An additional nurse was appointed in 1919, half of whose time
was allocated to duties at Spring well House Open-air School.
The staff was subsequently increased by an additional clerk in
1920 a third nurse in 1921, a second clerk in 1926, and a part-time
Medical Officer in 1930.
The Dispensary passed into the control of the Council in 1921 and
was transferred to more suitable premises at Southlands in 1928.
In 1940 the Dispensary was destroyed by enemy action and thereafter
its work was conducted in what was previously used as a
Solarium.
The value of the work carried out at the Dispensary can be gauged
by the comparative tables which follow.
During the year 1947 there were 162 cases of Tuberculosis (all
forms) notified in Battersea as compared with 228 in 1946, 199 in 1945,
184 in 1944 and 233 in 1943.
In addition, 52 cases were reported or otherwise came to the knowedge
of the Medical Officer of Health, making a total of 214 cases
for the year.
The case rate per 100,000 population was .186.2.
Tuberculosis Dispensary.
The staff engaged on Tuberculosis work at the Dispensary will be
found on pages 3 and 4.
Deaths from Tuberculosis.
During 1947 deaths from Tuberculosis registered as belonging to
the Borough of Battersea numbered 70, of which 59 (i.e., 84.3 per
cent.) were due to pulmonary tuberculosis, 11 (i.e., 15.7 per cent.)
of other forms of the disease.