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34
1937
SUPPLY OF EXTRA NOURISHMENT TO TUBERCULOUS PATIENTS.
Report of Assistant Medical Officer of Health.
The Council's scheme for the supply of extra nourishment to certain patients
suffering from tuberculosis, which was begun in 1936, has been extended during the
past year.
Following the inception of the scheme, it became obvious at an early stage that
more extensive provision would have to be made owing to the increasing number of
applications for nourishment made by patients through the Tuberculosis Officers.
The extra nourishment granted consists of one egg and one pint of milk daily, and,
in accordance with the directions to Local Authorities issued by the Minister of
Health, the Council decided that the following arrangements should apply to all
cases in which application was made for extra nourishment:—
1. That cases recommended by the Tuberculosis Officers should fall
generally into these categories :—
(a) Ex-sanatorium cases where the medical condition is such that a grant
of extra nourishment is necessary to enable patients to maintain
or recover full working capacity ; and
(b) Patients with prospects of ultimate arrest of the disease who are
awaiting admission to sanatoria.
2. A simple income scale was also adopted on the following basis
After deduction of rent, but not other outgoings from the total
family income, the maximum income per head per week shall not
exceed 12s. 6d.
If the income is greater than this, then the following circumstances
shall be taken into favourable consideration :—-
(a) Where the number in the family for the purpose of estimating
income does not exceed 2.
(b) Where there is a special recommendation on clinical grounds
from the Tuberculosis Officer.
3. That extra nourishment grants be limited to a period of three months,
subject to the power of the Public Health Committee to extend this period
after consideration of special circumstances.
During the year, 87 patients received extra nourishment under the Council's
scheme, and the cost amounted to £145 3s. 9d.
Pneumothorax Treatment was administered to seventy-six patients at a
cost of £250 14s. 0d.
Finsen Light Treatment.—No patient was treated by Finsen Light during the
year.
Artificial Sunlight Treatment.—One patient was given " Kromeyer Lamp "
treatment during the year at a cost of 16s.