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46
Admissions to hospital or sanatorium continue to fall although
hospital assessment and initial treatment are necessary on
occasion where home circumstances are inadequate or where,
particularly, surgery is contemplated. There were 40 such
admissions during the year.
The year saw an end to Chest Clinic artificial pneumo thorax
and pneumoperitoneum refill sessions as this form of treatment
is now used only in exceptional cases. In the earlier part of
the year 64 refills were given but no patient was receiving such
treatment at the year end.
The Lambeth (South) Chest Clinic
To provide full medical, medico social and welfare advisory
services for Tuberculosis cases and contacts on established
principles is still the main concern of the Clinic, In particular
attention has to be paid to the question of disease prevention,
and there is full co-operation with the Public Health Department
of the Borough Council and of the County Council in the control
of infection.
Special provision has been made for the new Tuberculosis
Hostel patients to attend at monthly intervals for treatment and
advice. These cases are potentially infectious but with Chest
Clinic guidance and Hostel care are less likely to endanger
others than when living under conditions in common lodging houses
from whence the majority came.
The Chest Clinic continues to expand in service to include
the diagnosis and treatment of other chest diseases, including
pulmonary carcinoma, pneumonia, bronchitis and asthma, and it is
likely that the future will see local General Practitioners making
more and more use of the Clinic facilities for this purpose.