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(2) Tuberculosis Medical Officer, a part-time Officer of consultant
status, who acts as an Assistant to the Medical Officer
of Health for tuberculosis work.
(3) Tuberculosis Nurse.
(4) Clerk.
All newly notified cases are visited by the Nurse and informed of
the Dispensary facilities and they are urged to attend, if suitable cases.
Medical practitioners are invited to bring or send their cases to the
Tuberculosis Medical Officer for consultation and advice, and the
other members of the family are examined as "contacts."
X-ray Examinations.
Arrangements are in operation for patients under Dispensary
supervision to be X-rayed at the Hampstead General Hospital. There
were 79 such examinations made during 1932.
Pathological Examinations for Sputum.
Arrangements have been made with the Pathological Department
of the Hampstead General Hospital whereby any medical practitioner
may send specimens of sputum for examination and report. This
service was utilised during 1932 on 151 occasions by local practitioners
(exclusive of the 83 specimens sent for examination by the
Tuberculosis Medical Officer).
Artificial Pneumo-thorax.
Treatment of suitable cases of pulmonary tuberculosis by means
of artificial pneumo-thorax is one of the important advances of recent
years in attacking this disease. This treatment has the effect of collapsing
the lung in the chest by injections of air, and thus putting it
completely at rest. Re-fills are required at intervals to replace the air
which gradually becomes absorbed.
Arrangements exist for patients to receive this treatment at
Brompton, Victoria Park, Colindale and University College Hospitals.
During the year 1932, there were 12 patients referred to these hospitals
entailing 142 attendances.
Dental Treatment.
Dental treatment for tuberculous patients is given by arrangement
with the British Dental Hospital. Patients in need of dental
aid may obtain treatment at this Hospital, 31, Camden Road, N.W.1,
on Wednesdays at 11 a.m. During the year 4 patients attended and
the total attendances were 19.