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82
Dispensary Tables.—The work of the Dispensary is illustrated
in tabular form on pages 87 to 92.
Residential Treatment.—245 recommendations were made in
1934. The average length of stay in sanatoria remains about 4
months. It is to be regretted that greater effort to induce patients
to continue residential treatment is not made. Some cases are
discharged because " no further material benefit can be expected "
when they would be quite willing to remain. The material benefit
to contacts at home by extending the period of in-patient treatment
in infectious cases, is a point meriting closer consideration.
During 1934, 20 children were recommended for admission to
the open-air school at Charlton. About 50 children from this
Borough are in attendance, and are seen at regular intervals during
the year by the Tuberculosis Officer.
Special mention must be made of the remarkable improvement
noted in these children after a period of attendance at the school.
It would seem to be an ideal method of dealing with contact
children, or quiescent cases of tuberculosis as well as the poorly
developed undernourished child.
34 children were recommended for varying periods of convalescent
treatment to the Invalid Children's Aid Association. Very
satisfactory improvement was noted in the majority of children on
their return.
X-Ray Examinations.—In June, 1934, an agreement was
reached with the London County Council whereby the Tuberculosis
Officer would have the use of the X-Ray apparatus at St. Alfege's
Hospital on one afternoon per week. 387 examinations were carried
•out during the year. Some of these were done at the Seamen's
Hospital under arrangements existing prior to above.
Visits to St. Alfege's Hospital.—During the year your
Tuberculosis Officer was appointed Visiting Consultant jointly with
the Deptford Tuberculosis Officer. Visits are made on alternate
weeks. In this way close contact is maintained with cases admitted
from the Borough and doubtful cases are seen for the Resident
Medical Staff. It is gratifying to be able to report that up to the
present the relations between the Dispensary and Hospital staff has
been very satisfactory. It is to be hoped that this arrangement will
be extended indefinitely.
In 1934, the arrangements for continuation of Artificial Pneumothorax
treatment which existed with Voluntary Hospitals was discontinued.
All cases discharged since May, 1934, and needing this