View report page

129
to the congestion, would relieve the pressure on the beds. While there is
little difficulty in obtaining institutional treatment for the early case, our
frequently expressed criticism of the difficulty in securing the same for the
advanced case still stands. In view of impending changes in the tuberculosis
scheme it would perhaps be inadvisable again to labour the point;
but in the rearrangement of the old Poor Law beds by the L.C.C. it is
to be hoped that the advanced tubercular patient, too long neglected, will
not again be overlooked, and that adequate provision will be made for him.
The provision of work for those who have left sanatorium or hospital
and who have made such progress as would justify us in recommending
them to attempt light work, under good conditions, is still a source of
much anxiety. With no improvement in the labour market, and a large
number of able-bodied men and women seeking employment, the position
of those whose working capacity is seriously damaged is rather hopeless.
The Tuberculosis Care Committee do everything in their power to help,
and are occasionally successful, but their powers are limited, and they are
handicapped by lack of funds. I would again urge the adoption of local
workshops subsidized by the State or local authority, where they could
work at suitable occupations under direct medical supervision and obtain
a living wage. Economists may object to such a scheme on the ground
of expense, but it has yet to be proved that it would be more costly to
the State than continuous unemployment, while the benefit to the patient
would be incalculable.
As mentioned in last year's report, the Hackney and Stoke Newington
Tuberculosis Care Committee instituted a Handicrafts Class for the outof-work
tubercular patient. It is not expected that these classes will enable
patients to earn a livelihood, but it is hoped that to some extent the work
will save them from brooding over their condition and give them an interest
to occupy their minds. The classes in general are well attended, the
patients seem interested and keen, and are making satisfactory progress.
The articles are sold for the benefit of the class with a percentage paid to
the workers, or a patient may buy any article he makes at cost price plus
a small percentage for class funds. Orders may also be taken by any
patient, who is allowed to sell what he makes under these conditions. It
is hoped that after a time the class will become self-supporting, but this
happy state has not yet been attained, and funds are still needed to carry
on the scheme.
As previously reported, the L.C.C. scheme for boarding-out children
of infectious parents has not been a success. The authors are keenly disappointed,
as the scheme appeared sound and attractive. We have done our
best to make it a success, but except in rare instances have found it impossible
to persuade parents to allow their children to leave home even for
a short period. It is doubtful whether the perhaps natural reluctance of
parents to part with their children would be overcome, even if the children
were admitted to recognized convalescent homes instead of being boarded
out in private houses.
The scheme for the supply of extra nourishment adopted by the
Boroughs in 1921 still operates. With an expenditure limited to £2 per
1,000 of the population, the number receiving benefit is necessarily small.
The additional diet takes the form of milk and eggs, and materially helps
those patients who, on leaving sanatorium, are unable to provide suitable
nourishment for themselves pending their return to work.
I continue to act as Honorary Consultant to the Bethnal Green Board
of Guardians, and visit the Hospital fortnightly. I am thus enabled to
keep in touch with patients whom otherwise I should lose sight of for a
time. I also examine all cases of suspected tuberculosis, helping to secure