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35 [1925
TREATMENT OF TUBERCULOSIS. " PROCEDURE."
The "Procedure" of the London County Council regarding' cases of tuberculosis
recommended for institutional treatment came into operation on the 1st
January, 1924. Formerly all documents regarding patients accepted by the
London County Council for institutional treatment w ere dealt with directly between
the London County Council and the Tuberculosis Dispensaries; these are now
forwarded through the Public Health Department. This "Procedure" entails a
large amount of additional clerical work, but it affords a reliable source of informa
tion regarding many patients who come to the knowledge of the Medical Officer of
Health for the first time, resulting eventually in the case being placed on our
register of notified cases. Another important result of documents passing through
the Public Health Department is that we receive early intimation of the admission
of a patient to a residential institution for treatment, and are thereby enabled to
arrange for disinfection of the home at once.
Boarding out of children.—In the early part of 1925 the London County
Council instituted a scheme for the boarding out of children of advanced tuberculous
patients. In several cases advantage was taken of the scheme, but in
others it was difficult to induce the parents to give their consent. The question
of institutional treatment for advanced cases is one which requires earnest
consideration.
TUBERCULOSIS DISPENSARIES.
The work of the Tuberculosis Dispensaries during the year has been very
efficiently performed.
It is with great regret that I have to record the death of Dr. A. J. McFarland,
the Tuberculosis Officer for the Southern Dispensary and district on the 23rd
April, 1925. Dr. McFarland had been Tuberculosis Officer, with his headquarters
at this Dispensary since its inception in August, 1916. He will be sadly missed
by the staff and patients alike. Many relatives of patients will remember the
kindly, sympathetic and personal interest he took in the numerous cases which
c?.me under his care. The vacancy has been filled by the appointment of his
Senior Assistant, Dr. A. Leitch.
During the year 1,199 persons were examined by the Tuberculosis Officers,
and the patients made 9,570 attendances.
At the Northern Dispensary there were 543 new cases, and at the Southern
656, while the attendances at the former were 3,394 and at the latter 6,176. The
examination of contacts with tuberculous cases showed that 53 were suffering
from tuberculosis, 39 were suspect, and 419 were not suffering. The nurse at the
Northern Dispensary paid 1,086 visits, and the nurse at the Southern 1,949, to the
homes of the patients, while the Tuberculosis Officer of the Northern Dispensary
made 174 visits, and of the Southern 378 visits to the patients' homes for the
purpose of examining them.
Pneumothorax Treatment was administered to two patients at a cost
to the Council of £4 4s. 0d.