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With further reference to the subject of Sanatorium
Treatment, it may be pointed out that, prior to the
opening of the two Dispensaries, or Clinics, under the
Lambeth Scheme, patients had been sent previously for
Sanatorium Treatment from St. Thomas's Out-Patients'
Departments—a total of 87 during the past few years,
and, of these, 45 (i.e.. 51.6 per cent.) are still fit to work.
These figures appear to shew that the expense of Sanatorium
treatment is indeed worth while.
The majority of the children, who attended,
were notified to the Educational Medical Officer,
and, in connection therewith, it was suggested that those
found on examination to be tuberculous, and all
"contacts" should be taught in open air schools. Unfortunately,
there is only one open air school for the
whole of South London, and there appears to be a
difficulty in finding suitable sites for more. A suggestion
has been made that suitable cheap erections of temporary
open air schools, on the large open areas in the parks,
might, with advantage, be introduced by the Educational
Authority and that, in that connection, in so far as
Lambeth is concerned, Brockwell Park and Norwood
Park might be found suitable for such a purpose, being
convenient enough to allow children to go home for their
meals, and being very little used by the public during
what would be the teaching hours. It is reported that
playground classes will shortly be held in connection
with some of the schools.
(4) Centre for the Examination of "Contacts."
"Contacts" are persons living in close association
with a patient, or patients, who have been notified as
suffering from tuberculosis, and an important part of
any Scheme for the prevention of the disease must deal
with them systematically. A total of 306 "contacts"
have been dealt with and Tables II. and III. give
particulars. Of the 306 "contacts" examined, 46 proved
to be tuberculous. In many districts, systematic visiting
by a Tuberculosis Medical Officer and a Tuberculosis
Nurse of infected houses is carried out, for the purpose