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In the provinces sanatoria are being erected, but London has no place
to send such patients, and as so many of them are of the poorer classes,
it is impossible for them to obtain the treatment which might save
their lives. They are compelled to struggle on at their work as long
as they possibly can do so in order to support themselves and those
depending on them. Attempts have been made to induce the Metropolitan
Asylums Board to adapt some of their unused buildings for this
purpose, but hitherto without success; it may be that each Borough
Council may have to make independent arrangements. In the City of
Westminster there is a fund, known as the Pest House Charity, which
might very well be utilised for the purpose of sending consumptive
patients to suitable places where there was a probable chance of cure.
Frequent appeals are made to me for information as to sanatoria by
patients and their friends, but except in St. Anne's Ward, where the
St. Henry Fund is available, it is generally found that the cost which
would have to be incurred is far above the means of the patients, and
thus they have to remain at home. A further difficulty exists where
the patient has others dependent upon him or her, as the course of
treatment extends over several months. In Germany the Friendly
Societies have themselves founded sanatoria for their members, as they
find that it pays them to do so; and as all workmen are required to be
insured against sickness their families are provided for during their
absence. The Friendly Societies in this country are considering the
question with a view to taking action.
It is claimed that 70 per cent. of the cases may be cured by
sanatorium treatment. This depends largely on the care exercised in
selecting early and suitable cases; a number of people go to sanatoria
who are beyond the hope of cure, although in some instances the
disease may be arrested to some extent.
In Brighton the Corporation have adopted a plan whereby consumptive
patients are admitted to a sanatorium for a month or so; during
that time they are carefully instructed in the precautions necessary to be
taken for the improvement of their own health and for the prevention of
danger to others. The Borough of Woolwich maintains two beds in a
sanatorium in the country for the use of male consumptive patients.
A further difficulty is in finding suitable work for patients afterwards.
The good that may have been effected would often be undone if the
patient returned to the business in which he was formerly engaged—
say that of a tailor, compositor or clerk.
Advanced Cases.—Hospitals or homes are needed for advanced cases
who have no home or no facilities for their care. Such patients are apt
to be centres of infection in their homes or in the Poor Law Infirmaries,
into which they drift. Some Boards of Guardians have taken steps to