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also act as information bureaus and general educational
centres for tuberculosis and must work in association with,
all (a) voluntary organisations, (b) existing general dispensaries
(treating tuberculosis patients), (c) special dispensaries
(for inoculations with tuberculin), and (d) hospital
out-patient (tuberculosis) departments—as off-shoots
of the general Scheme, which must have the sympathy and
approval of the Medical Profession.
It is important to note that "sanatorium benefit" does not
necessarily mean removal to a sanatorium, but may take
the form of treatment at home or at a tuberculosis dispensary
or by any other method that may be suitable to
the medical needs of a patient.
The following extracts from the National Insurance Act,
1911, ("Sanatorium Benefit") bear upon the subject:—
National Insurance Act, 1911 ("Sanatorium
Benefit").
(1) "Sanatorium Benefit" is defined to mean treatment
of insured persons in sanatoria, or other institutions,
or otherwise, when suffering from tuberculosis,
or such other diseases as the Local Government
Board, with the approval of the Treasury,
may appoint, and power is given to extend this
"sanatorium benefit" to the dependants of insured
persons. (Sections 8 (1b) and 17 (1).)
(2) An Insurance Committee has been formed for the
County of London (with a proportion of women
members) for making the necessary arrangements
for providing the "sanatorium benefit." (Section
59 (1 and 2).)
(3) District Insurance Committees for Metropolitan
Boroughs are to be established, one for each Borough.
(Section 59 (4).)
(4) All necessary arrangements are to be made for
providing for the treatment of insured persons (a)
in and (b) otherwise than in, sanatoria, or other
institutions, and for that purpose agreements may
be made with persons or Local Authorities (other
than Poor Law Authorities) having the management
of sanatoria or other institutions approved
by the Local Government Board or
undertaking such treatment in a manner approved
by the Local Government Board. (Section 16 (1).)