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462
Dr. L. U. Young (the Tuberculosis Medical Officer) reports:
"With regard to Institutional treatment, for which the London
County Council is responsible, it appears to be easier to obtain
vacancies in Sanatoria during the winter months. In the summer
months many cases have been refused Institutional treatment,
owing to lack of beds. Patients recommended for Sanatorium
treatment from the Dispensary have been requested to attend at the
County Hall, Westminster, for further examination, and, in some
instances have, without apparent reason, been referred back again.
This procedure has proved disappointing and disheartening to many
patients, and they have complained of the unavailing trouble and
expense entailed.
"Accommodation for advanced cases is still inadequate, and
there are many 'open' or infectious cases, whose home conditions
are bad, who would be safer in an institution, if provision for their
segregation could be obtained.
"Stormont House Open Air School, at Hackney Downs, has
entirely justified its existence. The classes remain full, and there is
still material to be found if more accommodation could be provided.
The benefit derived from this form of treatment has been apparent
in the children attending from this Dispensary.
"A scheme has quite recently been evolved by the London
County Council, with regard to children of school age, by which a
still closer co-operation between the School Medical Officer and the
Tuberculosis Officer will be effected. Under this scheme, cards are
issued by the London County Council (M O. 333) upon which the
Tuberculosis Officer will enter the name, address, date of birth,
school, borough and dispensary, and in the case of an ' unsatisfactory'
child, brief medical particulars relating to the case. The
procedure at the Dispensary relates to:—
(a) All 'unsatisfactory' children, whether contacts or not,
who, after a period of observation at the Dispensary, are
considered to be probably Non-Tuberculous, but who require
supervision.