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27
TUBERCULOSIS DISPENSARY.—The work of the
Tuberculosis Dispensary was continued at the Hammer¬smith
Hospital under the arrangement made with the
London County Council and the British Post-Graduate
Medical School. Five sessions, at which patients are seen
by appointment, are held each week.
New Patients.—During the year 894 persons attended
for examination for the first time, 395 males and 499
females. Of these 186 were under the age of fifteen and
708 were adults Of the total 498 were referred to the
clinic by local practitioners for the purpose of consultation,
23 by the National Service Medical Boards and 38 by mass
Radiography Groups. Two hundred and thirty-one were
"contacts" of persons suffering from tuberculosis. Of
the "contacts" examined 11 were definitely cases of tuber¬culosis,
whilst 220 were non-tuberculous. Of the 38 cases
referred to the Clinic by mass Radiography Groups, 23 had
active disease.
Total Attendances and Examinations.—The total
attendances of persons for the purpose of examination,
observation or treatment, numbered 4,638, and physical
examinations were carried out in 2,785 instances, i.e., in
60 per cent. of the total attendances.
Home Visitation.—The Tuberculosis Officer made 8
visits to homes of patients for the purpose of examination
and investigation of the home conditions.
The Health Visitors visit cases of tuberculosis on notification,
and thereafter as far as possible at intervals of six
months or less, as may appear advisable. During the year
2,579 such visits were made, of which 239 were ineffective.
During the year 64 definite cases were transferred from
other areas into the Borough and 58 moved out or were
lost sight of. Twelve were written off the register as being
cured.