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26
DISPENSARY TREATMENT OF TUBERCULOSIS.
For administrative purposes the Borough is divided into two dispensary areas, the line of division
passing down Inverness Terrace, Porchester Road, Ranelagh Road, Formosa Street to its junction with
Shirland Road, and Shirland Road to its junction with Kilburn Park Road. The portion of the Borough
to the east of this line is served by the St. Mary's Hospital Dispensary, and the portion to the west
of the line by the Paddington Tuberculosis Dispensary.
Paddington Tuberculosis Dispensary, 20, Talbot Road.
This is a voluntary agency supported by voluntary subscriptions, and a grant from the Paddington
Borough Council which last year amounted to £1,600. A full account of the Dispensary and its
activities will be found in the annual reports for 1924 and 1925.
During the year 162 X-ray examinations were made. Experience continues to confirm that an
X-ray apparatus on the Dispensary premises is a necessity rather than a luxury, giving invaluable
assistance in connection with the diagnosis of early cases, which is such an important factor in preventive
work.
Throughout the winter months certain delicate children have received artificial sunlight treatment
with encouraging results. During 1935, 20 patients received this form of treatment, 322 exposures
being given. Artificial sunlight treatment is not recognised as part of the approved scheme
by the Ministry of Health and the London County Council.
Parties of students from the London School of Hygiene attended the Dispensary on two occasions,
when lectures were given by Dr. Harley Williams, Medical Commissioner of the National Association
for the Prevention of Tuberculosis, and Dr. R. S. Walker, Tuberculosis Officer.
By arrangements made between the Executive Committee of the Dispensary and the College of
Nursing and the Battersea Polytechnic, Public Health students attend the Dispensary for short
courses of practical experience of tuberculosis work. International Public Health students from
Bedford College also attend for similar courses.
The class which was established in 1931 for the manufacture of hand-made gloves by tuberculous
women continues successfully. It is interesting to note that two patients have attended almost continuously
since the class commenced. The Central Fund for the Industrial Welfare of Tuberculous
Persons, under whose auspices this scheme was established, have no difficulty in disposing of the
finished gloves as the work is of such good standard.