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135
The help we receive from X-rays is invaluable, and often leads to the
discovery of cases of early Tuberculosis, the detection of which might
otherwise be delayed. Their indiscriminate use, however, without due
regard to symptoms and clinical signs, is responsible for the notification of
a number of cases which are not in fact tubercular. The value of Radiology
lies in the correct interpretation of the films, and it is not always recognised
that this requires considerable experience and even to the expert
presents many difficulties.
We are grateful to the Hospital for providing immediate admission for
a number of our urgent cases, and to the Staff for facilities in following
up our cases while in the wards, thus enabling us to keep in touch with
the latest methods of treatment and diagnosis.
The various charitable organisations in the district continue to support
us in many ways. The Invalid Children's Aid Association in particular is
most helpful, and has sent a large number of our debilitated children to
Convalescent Homes, either at the seaside or in the country. The Charity
Organisation Society and the United Services Fund have assisted in the
provision of surgical instruments, dentures, clothing, etc., and have supplied
accommodation for many of our children while their mothers are receiving
sanatorium treatment. Monetary help is also given by the United Services
Fund to the families of ex-service men who are disabled.
One hundred and forty-cases were admitted through the London County
Council to hospital or sanatorium during the year. This figure does not
include the admissions to the General Hospitals recently taken over by the
Council. The period between the date of recommendation and that of the
patient's admission is shorter than previously but still longer than is desirable.
While there is little difficulty in obtaining admission for the early case
the question of the advanced case still awaits a satisfactory solution. It
was hoped that the taking over of the old Poor Law Hospitals by the
London County Council would induce patients to enter these institutions.
Up to the present there has been little change, but perhaps it is too early
yet to estimate what effect the transfer will have in this direction.
I continue to act as Honorary Consultant to the Bethnal Green Hospital,
and visit the hospital regularly every fortnight, or more frequently if required.
I do not know what changes—if any—are contemplated in the management
of tubercular patients in the Council's General Hospitals, but I should be
very sorry to sever my connection with Bethnal Green Hospital, as it enables
me to keep in touch with patients whom otherwise I might lose sight of
indefinitely. The mere fact of my visiting there also in many instances
enables me to prevail upon patients to enter if I am able to tell them that I
will continue to see them there.
Stormont House Open-air School on Hackney Downs continues to take
a large number of our tuberculous children. This school, which was opened
in 1919, admits both pulmonary and non-pulmonary cases of tuberculosis of
either sex, the ages ranging from 6 to 16 years. There are 89 children on
the roll with an average attendance of 70. Practically all the children are
resident in the Boroughs of Hackney, Bethnal Green and Stoke Newington,
and are recommended for admission by the Tuberculosis Officers of the
Metropolitan Hospital or Victoria Park Hospital Dispensaries.
Ordinarily classes are held in the open air shelters, but in bad weather
ample indoor accommodation is available. Milk and mid-day meals are
provided at a nominal sum, while in the case of necessitous children no
charge is made. The dispensary nurse visits the school daily and keeps
records of temperature, weight, etc. She also does any minor dressings,
supervises the cleanliness of the children, and arranges weekly hot baths for