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129
We have always experienced difficulty in impressing patients with the
desirability of the extraction of septic teeth, and the number of cases
referred to the Dental Department of the Hospital is, as usual, small.
It must be noted, however, that a certain number of patients receive dental
treatment during their stay in hospital, while all children are referred to
the School Clinic. The arrangements for the supply of dentures for our
patients are in the hands of the Hospital Almoner, who has kindly
volunteered to undertake this duty for us.
The various charitable organisations in the district continue to help us
in many ways. The Hackney and Bethnal Green branches of the Invalid
Children's Aid Association have been most helpful in arranging convalescent
treatment for our debilitated children, at the seaside or in the country.
Both Tuberculosis Officers are members of the local Committees of this
Association. The Charity Organisation Society and the United Services
Fund have assisted in the supply of surgical instruments, dentures, clothing,
etc., and have provided accommodation for many of our children while the
mothers are receiving sanatorium treatment. Financial assistance is also
given in certain cases.
One hundred and sixteen cases were admitted to hospital or sanatorium
through the London County Council during the year. This figure does
not include the admissions to the London County Council general hospitals.
The increased accommodation at the disposal of the Council is reflected in
the shorter waiting period and in the increased facility with which we are
able to obtain institutional treatment for our patients, but the period of
stay at a sanatorium is still too short to effect a cure in the majority of
cases. This is especially to be regretted, as tuberculosis in the early
stage may now definitely be regarded as a curable disease.
Within recent years the whole aspect of the disease may be said
to have changed. The acute and rapidly fatal form of Pulmonary
Tuberculosis is now comparatively rare, and the term " galloping consumption,"
once so common, is now rarely heard. Formerly I used to
consider the outlook even of the early ease as decidedly gloomy, but now,
with suitable and adequate treatment, the prospeet is much brighter, and
the probability of a cure much less remote. This more hopeful outlook
is not entirely explained by the less virulent nature of the disease, but
is also in some measure due to an increased individual resistance to
tuberculosis.
The problem of the advanced case, although not yet solved, is not so
acute as formerly, as there is less difficulty in persuading patients to
enter one of the Council's general hospitals than when these Institutions
were under the control of the Guardians. The isolation of the advanced
case is of such importance in the prevention of the spread of tuberculosis
that no effort should be spared to ensure its being effectively carried out.
As there now appears to be ample accommodation available, I would
again urge the necessity of making the hospitals more attractive to the
tuberculous patient. In my opinion the question would be largely solved
if certain of the Council's general hospitals were wholly or mainly set
aside for tuberculous patients, and a relatively greater number of these
patients were later transferred to sanatorium. Such hospitals would in
time acquire the status of special hospitals, and in consequence would, I
am convinced, attract a larger number of patients. As pointed out in
last year's report, the argument that treatment in the Council's general
hospitals is satisfactory and adequate is of little avail if patients continue
to regard them as general hospitals, and refuse to enter because they feel
that in such institutions no special care or knowledge is available to them.
Having persuaded an advanced case to enter hospital, every effort should
be made to make him happy and contented, so as to induce him to stay