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The advantages of having the Dispensary attached
to a hospital such as the London Chest Hospital,
with all its resources for diagnosis, consultation and
treatment, are greatly appreciated by the staff and
it is undoubtedly the ideal arrangement for this work.
A distressing fact in recent years is the inadequate
provision of beds in hospital and sanatorium which
shows no sign of improvement in the near future. An
early case of pulmonary tuberculosis has a period
of waiting of from two to three months for admission
and likewise cases requiring special surgical
treatment are subject to a similar delay. It is to the
credit of the London County Council that their
arrangements for institutional treatment are good
when compared with the six to eight months waiting
period in various parts of the country. This delay
in treatment undoubtedly diminishes the prospects
of ultimate recovery in early cases and the lack of
institutional accommodation for advanced cases,
particularly in these times of overcrowding and inadequate
housing, is a serious problem from the
public health standpoint. Many are required to remain
in overcrowded homes with inadequate provision
for their care for many months and the consequent
exposure to infection of other members of the
household cannot fail in time to affect adversely the
incidence rate.
Tuberculosis Allowances Scheme.
The following table sets out the allowances
approved by the Tuberculosis Officer during the
year:-