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new schemes of employment for the tuberculous when there are so many
able-bodied men and women seeking work, but I cannot let any opportunity
pass of emphasising the importance of the question. The success of the
Spero Leather Factory, where some of our patients have been in continuous
employment for several years, suggests that local workshops run on similar
lines might later provide a solution of the problem.
The scheme for the provision of extra nourishment, adopted by the
Boroughs in 1921, still operates. As pointed out in last year's report
it had previously been our practice to recommend two pints of milk and
one egg daily, but during the year it was decided that the supply of
milk should be reduced to one pint. This has enabled us to extend the
grant without increase of expenditure, and is greatly appreciated by the
satients thus benefited. The grant as laid down by the Ministry of
tealth, is, as far as possible, limited to patients about to enter or those
leaving sanatorium, and there is little doubt it is of especial value to these
latter, who are often unable to provide suitable nourishment for themselves
pending their return to work.
I continue to act as Consultant to the Bethnal Green Hospital. I have
now visited the hospital regularly for ten years in succession, and find the
work both interesting and useful. It enables me to keep in touch with
patients whom I would otherwise lose sight of for prolonged periods. I
examine all cases of suspected tuberculosis, helping to secure early diagnosis
in some instances, and to prevent erroneous notification in others, thus
avoiding the unnecessary examination of "false" contacts.
I am grateful for the unfailing courtesy and co-operation of the Medical
Staff, who readily adopt any suggestions I care to make. I feel that
the free access accorded to the Tuberculosis Officer to visit patients at the
local general hospitals serves a very necessary and useful purpose, and it
is hoped that the London County Council will not lose sight of this fact
should any re-arrangement of the visiting staff be contemplated.
The children attending Stormont House open-air school have made
satisfactory progress during the year. The school, which is always full,
accommodates 90 children, which is sufficient for the three Boroughs it
mainly serves—namely Hackney, Bethnal Green and Stoke Newington,—
as the waiting list is never a long one. Both pulmonary and nonpulmonary
cases of tuberculosis of either sex are eligible for admission,
the ages ranging from 6 to 16 years. The classes are held in special
open-air shelters in the grounds of the school, while ample accommodation
is available in the permanent building in bad weather. The Dispensary
Nurse visits the school daily, and keeps a record of the temperature and
weight of each child. The Tuberculosis Officer visits weekly, making
periodic examinations of the children, and supervising the exercise and
rest of each case. Hot mid-day meals are provided at a nominal charge,
but in necessitous cases no payment is exacted. Two school journeys were
undertaken during the summer, one for 25 boys at Seasalter, and another
for 24 girls at Bognor, each for a period of two weeks. Under the
scheme the children, who are accompanied by their teachers, have still to
continue their lessons, but as these largely take the form of nature study,
practically all their time is spent in the open air, so that the maximum
benefit from a stay at the seaside is assured.
During the year five children were discharged as fit for work, and
thirteen had so improved as to permit of their transfer to an ordinary
elementary school. All the scholars leaving school were placed in employment
by the School After-care Committee, and, contrary to what one
would expect, it is satisfactory to know that attendance at an open-air
school for tuberculous children does not seem to prejudice a child's chances
of obtaining work.