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108
a new kind of work, or who is fit for only a few hours' work a day. It
is often found quite impossible to get employment for this class of case.
The unhappy position of the labour market renders this problem even more
acute than it otherwise would be, as few employers are prepared to take
back a hand whose working capacity is seriously damaged, and to afford him
facilities for carrying on at a lower productive level. Isolated attempts have
been made to solve the problem, but with little success. One of the most
recent in London was the opening, under the aegis of the Ministry of
Health and the London County Council, of a wood-bundling factory in
Holborn. Unless some drastic change is made I am afraid the scheme is
doomed to failure, as patients find it impossible to earn a living wage. A
man is naturally unwilling to work a whole week for an average wage of
£1, out of which he has to pay fares and buy his dinners—knowing that
he would be better off financially by staying at home and drawing the dole.
As reported last year, the subject was considered by the London County
Council and the National Association for the Prevention of Tuberculosis.,
and the Ministry of Health was approached with a view to the institution
of a thorough inquiry into the matter. It was hoped that something would
be done, but nothing tangible has yet resulted. In my opinion, the only
solution of the problem is the adoption of local workshops subsidized by
the State or the Local Authority, where men could work at suitable occupations
under direct Medical Supervision and obtain a living wage. The only
real objection to such a scheme appears to be the expense, but it is doubtful
if this would be more costly to the State than continuous unemployment.
The Tuberculosis Care Committee have for years recognized the problem
of the employment of the tubercular patient, but their efforts to solve
it have been hampered by lack of funds. The Hackney and Stoke Newington
Care Committee now propose to start a handicraft class, and its object and
scope can perhaps best be explained by giving the Chairman's own words
taken from his letter of appeal for funds:
"It is difficult, perhaps, for healthy people engaged in active work to
appreciate the lot of those who have lost both health and occupation. We
want to save these patients from brooding over their condition by giving
them interesting work to occupy their thoughts.
"There are light handicrafts, such as leather-work, pewter-work, basketwork,
bead-work, knitting, etc., that are well suited for men and women
in this state.
"The articles made will be sold for the benefit of the class, with a
certain percentage paid to the workers; or a patient may buy what he makes
at cost price, plus a small percentage for class funds. Orders may be taken
by any patient, who may sell what he or she makes under these conditions.
"It is proposed to hold sessions once or twice a week, and patients will
be admitted only on the recommendation of the Tuberculosis Officer.
"It is hoped that after a time the class will be self-supporting."
We continue to send a large number of tuberculous children to Stormont
House School. This school, which is admirably situated on Hackney
Downs, was opened in 1919, and admits both pulmonary and non-pulmonary
cases of tuberculosis of either sex, the ages ranging from 6 to 16 years;
and there are now 88 children on the roll, with an average attendance of 70.
At present all the children come from the Boroughs of Hackney, Bethnal
Green, and Stoke Newington; and are recommended for admission either
from the Metropolitan Hospital or the Victoria Park Hospital Tuberculosis