View report page

70
very gradual and with no desire to rush a "cure." The beneficial
results of artificial sunlight treatment have been fully confirmed.
The number of treatments totalled 1,402 and the procedure
adopted remains as before.
Occupation.—There are no industries in the Borough
which have any special bearing upon the Incidence of Tuberculosis, and the occupations of notified cases in 1929 show no
marked difference to those quoted in previous Reports.
Housing.—The Housing condition presents little improvement and much overcrowding exists, many examples continue to
be brought to the notice of the Public Health Committee by
the Care Committee. It follows that the sleeping arrangements
to continue to be a very serious difficulty in the problems of infection,
but it is realised that the patients most in need of extra
accommodation are frequently those unable to pay the necessary
rent. Of 212 patients suffering from Pulmonary Tuberculosis: —
120 were sharing a bed.
42 had a separate bed but not a separate room.
50 had a separate bed and a separate room.
As a result of much persuasion and perseverance on the
part of the Tuberculosis nurses and the Care Committee, 5
patients who were sharing a bed have now separate beds.
Apart from overcrowding, many sanitary defects have been
reported to and dealt with by the Public Health Department.
The eight shelters are in constant use. Bedsteads and
bedding have been lent or supplied by the Council and other
agencies. (See Report of Care Committee).
At the close of 1929 the estimated number of persons
suffering from Tuberculosis and residing in the Borough was
as follows :- Men. Women. Children. Total.
Pulmonary Tuberculosis 244 206 168 618
Non-Pulmonary Tuberculosis 31 43 171 245
giving a total of 863 as against 907 in the previous year.