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also. Certain of the methods in the scheme appear somewhat cumbrous
and the Local Government Board expressed a doubt whether they
would prove satisfactory in actual working. It appears the Council had
to adopt them as a concession in order to be able to utilise certain
institutions. In time, no doubt, the objectionable parts of the scheme
will be eliminated and the Board propose to review the scheme at the
end of twelve months.
The scheme embraces the institutional treatment of chronic and
advanced cases, and provision has been made through the Metropolitan
Asylums Board for the reception of such cases among women in the
premises formerly used for children by the St. George, Hanover Square
Guardians.
The duration of stay in sanatorium allowed by the Insurance Committee
is generally three months, and must be regarded as of educational
rather than of curative value in most cases. Treatment is also being
given in hospitals by both bodies.
Dispensary Scheme.—The City Council after prolonged negotiations
eventually settled a scheme which apparently satisfied the authorities
of Charing Cross and St. George's Hospitals and the Local Government
Board and has been formally submitted to the Board for sanction.
Meanwhile both these hospitals have instituted tuberculosis clinics
on one afternoon a week, and are working as heretofore in conjunction
with the Council.
The after-care of patients who are discharged from institutions is
undertaken by the tuberculosis Visitors, assisted by the Health Society,
and forms one of the most important parts of their work. They are at
once visited, and are advised and encouraged to continue the treatment
and habits in which they were instructed in the sanatorium. Patients,
especially the younger ones, are assisted to change their trade from an
indoor to an outdoor occupation. Some are assisted to move to more
open parts of London, or to the country. Help is obtained in the way
of additional food, or grants in aid, of beds and bedding and of clothing.
It is satisfactory to be able to record that a number of patients,
among whom are included many indoor workers, who were treated three
four, five or more years ago are at present apparently well and at work.
No less than 26 of the men included in the 1914 returns were accepted
for service in the Army. Most of these were men who had been in
good health for several years but some were more recent, and although
the disease is arrested it is doubtful if they could be said to be cured.
The latter will probably break down under the heavy strain to which
they will be subjected, and in fact three broke down during their
.training. Others were refused enlistment, of these one is a special