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11
Tuberculosis (cont'd)

No. of attendances by patients 2238
No. of visits by Tuberculosis Health
Visitors 2513
No. of Sputum examinations 460 of which
150 were
positive.
No. of X-rays 644
The Dental Clinic was held as usual, and 11 patients made 40
attendances.
Artificial Pneumothorax.
425 refills were given by the Tuberculosis Officer at
St. Alfege's Hospital. By arrangement with the hospital patients
who are working and cannot attend the afternoon clinic are treated
by the hospital staff.
Grants of extra nourishment (milk) were made in 14 cases at a
cost of £52, to patients not in receipt of the Social Welfare
Assistance or Maintenance Allowance. The closest co-operation is
maintained with the Social Welfare Officers who have dealt very
generously with patients referred to them by the Dispensary.
The Committee met on two occasions during the year, but
as in previous years emergency matters were dealt with by the
Chairman and Tuberculosis Officer, and reported later to the
Committee, The Chairman pays a weekly visit to the Dispensary
for this purpose. The Committee were keenly interested in the
Christmas Seals Campaign, and a sum of £37. 0. 3d. was realised
by the sale of seals during December 1944, A detailed statement
of matters affecting the Handicraft and Christmas Seals Funds is
presented to the Committee at the end of the financial year, but,
briefly, it may be stated that these funds were used to purchase
materials for the Handicraft Class, to assist needy patients by
paying fares to enable their relatives to visit them at sanatoria,
to purchasing clothing, etc.
Handicraft Class.
Owing to enemy action in the form of rockets, etc., together
with the difficulty in obtaining a teacher, the Handicraft Class
was, unfortunately, unable to function. In place of the class,
however, many members were encouraged to carry on work at home,
chiefly in the form of leather work, and certificates were given
by the Tuberculosis Officer to about; 20 patients to obtain the
necessary leather.
Tuberculosis Allowances.
This scheme, as described in the report of last year, has been
continued on the same lines.
During the year, 122 patients received allowances. The amount
paid during this period was £3,256."