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99
The Tuberculosis Officer communicates with every local practitioner,
who notifies a case of tuberculosis, offering to confer as
to the best means of dealing with the case. The practitioner is also
invited to avail himself of the services of the care committee for any
case occurring in his private practice in which he thinks they will prove
helpful.
A large number of patients have been sent to the dispensary during
the year by local practitioners for an opinion, and in each case a report
has been sent by the Tuberculosis Officer. 438 such reports have been
sent during the year.
The number of periodical reports received from practitioners on
patients under domiciliary treatment has been something under onethird
of the number asked for.
(v.) The arrangements for following up patients in cases where the
diagnosis is doubtful.
Cases of doubtful diagnosis are kept under observation at the
dispensary, and every effort is made to come to a definite conclusion
in as short a time as possible. Owing, however, to the frequent failure
of patients to return for re-examination when requested, and the consequent
need to visit or write for them, it is not always possible to do so.
(vi.) The arrangements for securing the examination and systematic
supervision of " home contacts."
Home contacts are examined at the dispensary—as a rule
by special appointment. The arrangements for their attendance and
their subsequent supervision are in the hands of the Health Visitors.
A special-effort is made to keep under observation the contacts of sputum
positive cases, and to re-examine them at short intervals.
(vii.) Information as to special methods of diagnosis and treatment
in use and the number of persons to whom these special methods have been
applied.
The X-Ray apparatus is in constant use as an aid to diagnosis.
It is used almost exclusively for screen work. No record of the number
of cases so examined has been kept.
(viii.) The results of local experience as to the relative value of each
form of treatment.
No special treatment has been in use.
(ix.) The nature and extent of any dental treatment provided by the
council for tuberculous patients.
A dental clinic has been held weekly at the Old Ford Wesleyan
Mission Hall since October, 1922, to which all cases needing dental
treatment and for whom no provision is otherwise made, are referred
by the Tuberculosis Officer.
Cases requiring new dentures are referred to the Care Committee