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Tuberculosis Officer is in touch, are becoming much more amenable in
regard to admission. It is extremely important that those cases should
not remain at home on account of the lack of nursing and the possibilities
of spreading infection. The tuberculosis wards are extremely well
ventilated, bright and airy, and it is satisfactory to record that several
patients who were admitted in a grave stage of the disease were discharged
after several manths' treatment, fit to resume their occupations.
In the Infirmary during the autumn an extended trial was given to a
vaccine, prepared on similar lines to that introduced by Professor Dreyer.
The results obtained were comparable to those given by the older preparations
of tuberculin. In no case could it be declared that a cure had been
effected, although in patients who had already acquired a measure of
resistance there was an increased sense of well-being.
Greater success in treatment would certainly be achieved if sheltered
balconies or verandahs were available at the Infirmary. During six
months of the year continuous rest in the open air does more to combat the
poisoning of the system by tuberculosis than any drug.
Sixty new patients were examined in the Infirmary during the six
months following the appointment of the Tuberculosis Officer. 12 were
recommended to the L.C.C. for transfer to sanatorium : 8 of those availed
themselves of sanatorium treatment. 24 patients were admitted to the
tuberculosis wards on the recommendation of the Tuberculosis Officer;
4 patients were admitted for observation. The Tuberculosis Officer paid
28 visits to the Infirmary, and saw or examined 456 patients.