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exchange of information, as evidenced by the increased number of
reports received from Panel Practitioners, viz. : 162 as against only
13 during 1923.
(v.) The arrangements for following up patients in cases where the
diagnosis is doubtful.
Cases in which the diagnosis is doubtful are kept under observation
at the dispensary—attending weekly as a rule. If, after a reasonable
period, a definite decision cannot be arrived at, the case may be referred
to the London Hospital for a further opinion, or be recommended
to the London County Council for admission to either Brompton or Victoria
Park Hospitals for further investigation. If, however, there is
no urgency, as regards treatment or otherwise, the patient is asked to
attend again after a lapse of three or six months for further examination.
In due course, the patient is written to, or a Health Visitor calls to remind
him of the appointment, and there is usually little difficulty in securing
the desired attendance. Similar cases among children of school age are,
as already explained, recommended to be kept under observation by the
School Medical Officer, and are referred back to the dispensary in due
course.
(vi.) The arrangements for securing the examination ancl systematic
mpervision of "home contacts."
Home contacts of definite cases are examined at the dispensary as
soon as possible after the discovery of the original case. Arrangementsfor
their attendance are made by the Health Visitor for the appropriate
district, who thereafter has the household under her supervision. Child
contacts of school age, whether examined at the dispensary or not, are
referred to the School Medical Officer to be kept under observation, the
result of this being reported to the Tuberculosis Officer after a lapse of
six months—or earlier if necessity arises. The number of contacts
examined during the year was 629.
(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 installation has continued in use for diagnostic purposes.
No other special methods either for diagnosis or treatment have been employed.
(viii.) The results of local experience as to the relative value of
each form of treatment.
See (vii.) above.