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39
The following report and tables of statistics required by the
Ministry of Health are submitted by Dr. Ian S. Thomson, Tuberculosis
Officer and Deputy Medical Officer of Health.
City of Westminster Tuberculosis Dispensary.
Annual Report, 1938.
The work of the Dispensary has been carried on throughout the year
on the established lines. New patients numbering 374 were seen during
the year, of whom 154 were considered to be tubercular. These cases
classed as tubercular for Dispensary purposes do not all show evidence of
recent active disease.
The following Table shows the source of reference of cases to the
Dispensary during the last three years:—

The value of the arrangement whereby the Tuberculosis Officer visits
the wards of St. Stephen's Hospital has been stressed in previous reports.
This is of increasing importance as there has been a greater tendency in
the last few years for medical practitioners to send definite cases of
Tuberculosis direct to County Council General Hospitals. This method
is particularly useful for persons in crowded homes or temporary lodgings,
as they commence treatment and are removed from contact with others
at the earliest possible time. The Tuberculosis Officer comes in touch
with these cases in the Hospital, and after an initial period of rest, they
pass on to a Sanatorium if suitable for such treatment.