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back from what appears to be nothing more than a long
and arduous course of treatment that has simply restored
to them some measure of health, but has not impressed
upon them any clear idea of the nature of their condition,
or of the preventive measures that are necessary. "Aftercare"
in the former case is easy; in the latter case,
difficult. "After-care" cannot, however, be efficiently
carried out by a Tuberculosis Medical Officer, and
much less can it be done by a Medical Attendant.
What is required is a social worker or lady almoner
thoroughly trained and suitably equipped in. that type
of work, and she would assist also in arranging for
Institutional treatment, under the supervision of the Tuberculosis
Medical Officer. The question of "after-care"
generally resolves itself into one of suitable employment
for the individual patient. Efficient "after-care" depends,
therefore, upon efficiently trained visitors or nurses and,
in this respect, Lambeth Borough is provided for under the
Scheme. The staff of the Lady Almoner's Department at
St. Thomas's Hospital visit chiefly the Inner Wards of the
Borough, and report on the official cards to the Medical
Officer of Health, but the Outer Wards are not yet provided
with a similar Lady Almoner's Department. The
Council's Female Staff, consisting of the Tuberculosis
Nurse, the Female Inspectors and the Health Visitor,
assist also in visiting the houses wherein patients are
notified officially as suffering from tuberculosis. Patients
who have had sanatorium treatment, and who do not
require any further treatment, are asked to report themselves
every three months.
(6) Information Bureau and Educational Centre.
A large amount of clinical material is now available
in connection with the Lambeth Dispensaries, and the
different methods of diagnosis and treatment can be
watched by Medical Practitioners, and others interested
in the subject. Arrangements have been made for the
Tuberculosis Medical Officers to confer with Medical
Practitioners in connection with the exact diagnosis
(especially of early cases) and up-to-date treatment (with
tuberculin, or otherwise). Until an uniform system of