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year, as compared with seven cases in the previous year. All were
removed to Hospital for treatment.
Tuberculosis.—In the year under review, there were 114
cases notified in the Borough, as compared with 129 for the previous
year. Of this number 101 were of the pulmonary type, ordinarily
known as consumption, and 13 were non-pulmonary cases, i.e.,
Tuberculosis of other parts of the body than the lungs. Of this
number, 28 pulmonary and 4 non-pulmonary occurred in East
Greenwich, 28 pulmonary and 4 non-pulmonary in West Greenwich,
4 pulmonary and 1 non-pulmonary in St. Nicholas, 41 pulmonary and
4 non-pulmonary in Charlton and Kidbrooke.
Four hundred and ninety-three specimens were forwarded by
medical practitioners for bacteriological investigation and of these
393 were reported to be negative and 100 positive for tuberculosis.
Disinfection has been offered and carried out in 49 cases,
including 149 rooms and 373 articles of bedding, etc. Disinfectant
has been supplied to patients to disinfect sputum pots, etc., where
necessary.
Epidemics — Assistance to House-holders.— During
November, the Ministry of Health issued a circular, calling upon
Local Authorities to take certain action to assist householders
should infectious diseases assume epidemic proportions this winter,
particularly having regard to the possibility of an outbreak of
influenza not requiring hospitalization on a large scale.
Acting upon suggestions contained in the circular, a local
scheme was formulated embracing the assistance of the following
services—
(a) Local Medical Practitioners.
(b) Co-operation of Nursing Association and Voluntary Aid
Societies in regard to Home Nursing.
(c) Arrangements with Local Voluntary Associations, including
Youth Organisations who would be willing to supplement
the Council's panel of Home Helps, and thus provide
the necessary assistance in looking after the children in
the home, and also to be responsible for the shopping
needs of the household.
(d) Supply of meals through the London County Council
Meals Services, together with the necessary arrangements
for transport.
It was realised that should it be necessary to put the above
scheme into operation, a certain amount of dislocation of the
ordinary. Health Services would result, and for that reason the
Minister of Health has requested the scheme should not be put into
force until specific instructions are given by the Ministry.