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28
TUBERCULOSIS DISPENSARY.—The work of the
Tuberculosis Dispensary was continued at the Hammersmith
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 982 persons attended
for examination for the first time, 443 males and 539
females. Of these 215 were under the age of fifteen and
767 were adults. Of the total 523 were referred to the
clinic by local practitioners for the purpose of consultation,
23 by the National Service Medical Boards and 9 by mass
Badiographv Groups. Two hundred and ninety-six were
"contacts" of persons suffering from tuberculosis. Of
the "contacts'' examined 40 were definitely cases of tuberculosis,
whilst 256 were non-tuberculous. Of the 9 cases
referred to the Clinic by mass Badiography Groups, 3 had
active disease.
Total Attendances and Examinations.—The total
attendances of persons for the purpose of examination,
observation or treatment, numbered 5.840, and physical
examinations were carried out in 3,173 instances, i.e., in
54 per cent. of the total attendances.
Home Visitation.—The Tuberculosis Officer made 28
visits to homes of patients for the purpose of examination
and investigation of the home conditions, and 27 visits to
St. Charles" Hospital.
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
2,584 such visits were made, of which 321 were ineffective.
During the year 75 definite cases were transferred from
other areas into the Borough and 70 moved out or were
lost sight of. Nineteen were written off the register as
being cured.