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74
A sum of £138 13s. 0d. was collected from patients and
their relatives on behalf of the London County Council towards
the cost of treatment.
As mentioned in previous reports, the Greenwich Board
of Guardians continue to give the most sympathetic consideration
to patients referred to them from the Dispensary.
Handicraft Class.—This class was inaugurated in October,
1928, and has continued to meet every Friday since that date.
Before the class opened, much spade work had to be done to
raise the necessary funds to erect a Hut and provide tools and
material. Grants were obtained from the National Association
for the Prevention of Tuberculosis, from the Red Cross Society,
from the Local Branch of the National Association of Local
Government Officers, and further gifts of money were received
by private subscriptions and proceeds of concerts, etc.
The teacher is provided by the London County Council,
and the patients pay a fee of 2s. per head per term. The Hut
was duly opened on the 16th November, 1928. There has been
an average attendance of 17, and all the pupils have shown a
keen interest in the work, which at present is confined to the
making of stools and fancy leather goods. Although the teacher
only attends on the Friday morning, members of the class are
at liberty to attend at the Hut any day between 10 a.m. and
4 p.m. and work at their leisure.
The main idea underlying the scheme is to give those
patients who are unable to work at their ordinary avocation,
and who would otherwise lead an idle existence, a chance to
usefully occupy their time and keep them from "brooding"
over their disablement. The patients are at liberty to sell any
article they make, they themselves only being charged with the
actual cost of the material.
The difficulty which has now to be confronted is that of
obtaining a market for the goods, and all particulars will be
gladly forwarded to any who feel interested in this effort."
The Report on Dental Treatment by G. Francis Ferris,
Esq., L.D.S., is subjoined.
I am, Sir,
Your obedient servant,
M. Macdonald, M.D., Ch.B., D.P.H.