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38
Home Visiting.—The Tuberculosis Medical Officer paid 320 visits
during the year to patients at their homes. The number of visits paid
in previous years was:—
1916 257
1917 197
1918 237
1919 96
1920 165
The Health Visitors paid 6,648 visits, 4,941 of these being to persons
attending the Dispensary; 2,628 visits were paid to insured persons,
621 of these being to discharged soldiers and sailors. During the summer
one of the Tuberculosis Visitors resigned her position, and the Council
in view of the reduction in the number of tuberculous cases, decided not
to appoint a successor. The areas in the City were therefore rearranged
and the work divided between three remaining Visitors, an arrangement
which has proved satisfactory.
Institutional treatment.—Of the 271 persons recorded in 1921 with
pulmonary disease, institutional treatment was afforded to all the Common
Lodging House cases, to 90 males and 67 females in the general
population, and to 30 of the 41 non-pulmonary. The reduction generally
of tuberculosis in London enables provision for institutional treatment
to be offered to a larger number of persons.
Bacleriologiml Diagnosis.—Sputum was examined in 474 instances,
308 being specimens sent from the Dispensary and 166 from private
practitioners. The cost was £64 16s. 7d.
Extra Nourishment.—In the Spring of 1921, the Insurance Committee
gave up the provision of extra nourishment to consumptives and the duty
fell upon local authorities. Six persons have been in receipt of milk and
eggs at the Council's expense on the recommendation of the Tuberculosis
Medical Officer. The applications were duly considered by the After
Care Committee.
Denial treatment.—12 patients received dental treatment at the
Council's expense. Dentures were provided in 5 cases.
X-Ray Treatment.—By an arrangement with certain hospitals, the
Council is authorised to pay for X-ray treatment for persons suffering
from tuberculosis of the skin. One patient has been so treated at St.
Thomas Hospital.
Tuberculosis Dispensary.—Of the 312 new cases in 1921 the
Dispensary dealt with 154, but as in 62 instances (such as persons in
asylums and other institutions, soldiers, police and persons whose