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93
whatever aspect the tuberculous family is approached the economic
factor becomes an obstacle at some point, under the present circumstances.
In some of the worst cases of overcrowding, beds and bedding
have been loaned in an effort to secure segregation of infectious cases,
and in this connection we were fortunate to receive sixteen old
bedsteads from the Borough Maternity Home and about a similar
number of mattresses.
Dispensary—Routine Matters.-—The system inaugurated
in 1936 of keeping the notification register at the Dispensary has
been continued, and much unnecessary duplication of records
thereby avoided.
New Patients.—604 new patients were dealt with during the
year including 46 transfers. The sources from which these patients
came were as follow :—
Doctors 320
Hospitals ... ... ... 44
Schools ... ... ... 11
Own application ... ... 24
Nurses ... ... ... 205 (including 154
contacts).
Contacts.—154 contacts were examined during the year, of
whom five were found to be tuberculous—all with the pulmonary
form. The number of contacts examined is slightly more than half
the total estimated number of contacts of the 111 notified cases.
It is to be regretted that the proportion is not greater, and
particularly that more of the age-group 15-25 could not be persuaded
to avail themselves of the facilities provided—for much
valuable preventive work is to be done in this field.
As has been pointed out in previous reports however, a further
number of Contacts find their way to the Dispensary via Medical
Practitioners or on their own application and are then classed as
New Patients.
Residential Treatment.—The London County Council's
revised scheme for treatment of tuberculosis issued in 1936 includes
provision for the issue of travelling expenses to necessitous patients
accepted for admission to the Council's institutions.
It also provides for the issue of travelling expenses in
necessitous cases where a relative was obliged to visit a patient
in an emergency upon the request of a Medical Officer of a Sanatorium.
Only a few applications for assistance were received
during the year.