View report page

44
forms of the disease were sent away by the St. Henry Fund from
St. Anne's Ward.
Treatment in a sanatorium was to be given to suitable cases after
the 15th July, under the Insurance Act, but the London Committee was
able to give this benefit in only a small number of instances as little
accommodation was available at first. Arrangements were eventually
made through the County Council and the Asylums Board, whereby
accommodation for 300 males was provided at the Downs School, Sutton,
and for 100 female patients and 100 observation and educational cases
at the Northern Hospital, Winchmore Hill.
At present the Council are retaining their beds at Maitland for
uninsured persons, any vacancies which cannot be filled up being placed
at the disposal of the Insurance Committee. Schemes are under consideration
by the County Council whereby treatment in institutions may
be available for uninsured as well as insured persons, but no decision
has yet been arrived at.
"Dispensary" Treatment.—This name has been given to the scheme
whereby out-patient treatment is afforded to consumptives, together
with opportunities for the examination of contacts, &c. It includes the
regular visiting of patients, after care on return from hospital and
sanatorium, the distribution of information, the keeping of records, &c.
These methods have been carried out in Westminster for some years
with the voluntary assistance of the local hospitals and the Health
Society. The Council has under consideration a scheme for continuing
the arrangement, bringing it into line with new requirements, and for
strengthening the staff by the appointment of an additional visitor for
tuberculous patients.
Bacteriological Examination of Sputum.—One hundred and thirty-two
examinations were made of sputum, from 129 patients, to ascertain if
the tubercle bacillus was present; it was found in 39 instances.
Disinfection.—Three hundred and fifty-seven rooms in 271 housis
and 6,602 articles were disinfected or destroyed by the Council's staif,
after death, or on removal of patients from one house to another
or to hospital. In 37 cases, disinfection (or thorough cleaning and
re-decoration of rooms) was carried out privately.
Deaths.—The deaths for 1912 and for the preceding eleven yea s
are set forth in the following table:—