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145
NON-PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS.
All cases of Surgical Tuberculosis, such as Tuberculosis of Bones,
Joints and Glands, are sent by the London County Council to special
Sanatoria which deal only with this type of case.
On the completion of the Sanatorium treatment, arrangements are
made for patients to attend at an Orthopaedic Department of a General
Hospital at frequent intervals, or at the After-Care Clinic held at the
County Hall, by the Medical Superintendent of the Sanatorium at which
their treatment was obtained.
Cases requiring Actinotherapy are now referred for treatment in
the Solarium of the Health Services Department, instead of being sent
to General Hospitals as in the past. This scheme has the advantage that
it is more convenient for the Tuberculosis Officer to maintain supervision
over these patients.
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY.
Occupational therapy may be included amongst special treatment
for tuberculous patients who are not yet well enough to resume their
ordinary work. The object is to give them some outside interest by
training them in a useful hobby. For this purpose the Handicraft Class
was commenced at the Dispensary a few years ago.
The class is held each Tuesday afternoon and each Friday morning,
under the tuition of an Instructress from the L.C.C.
At the end of 1937, there were 22 patients on the Class Register,
with an average weekly attendance of 17.
In September, 1937, it was decided to extend the activities of the
class to woodwork for the male patients. We are lucky in having the
services of a voluntary Instructor who attends on Thursday evenings. The
men are showing great keenness and the quality of the work done is most
satisfactory considering the short time the class has been in existence.