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progress are given preference by the L.C.C. Patients who are
going downhill, especially those who have been away before, cannot
always be accepted, with the result that the grave problem of how to
deal with the advanced cases remains one of the most difficult
which confront the Tuberculosis Officer. It had been hoped that
when the Poor Law institutions were taken over by the L.C.C.
there would be seen a change of attitude of patients who had hitherto
been Unwilling to enter them. Unfortunately, expectations in
this respect have not been realised, and it is at least as difficult now
as it has been to prevail upon patients to enter the local institution.
This is most regrettable, and the solution of a difficult problem seems
as far away as ever. During 1931, 39 cases, adults and children,
were given treatment by the L.C.C., in their sanatoria or special
hospitals.
The treatment of children is greatly facilitated by the presence
in Hackney of Stormont House Open-Air School, to which patients
can be sent who have been in sanatoria and who have been discharged
after making good progress, or who are suffering from the disease
in a form so mild as not to necessitate their leaving their homes.
The results obtained at this school are almost uniformly excellent
and it performs a most valuable work in rendering the scholars fit
to take their places afterwards in the industrial world on equal
terms with their fellow workers.
The social side of the work is in the hands of the Tuberculosis
Care Committee for Hackney and Stoke Newington. In November,
1931, Miss A. M. Gunter, Secretary to the Committee, retired after
ten years of most able and devoted service. The Committee have
been happy in securing as her successor Miss K. H. Russell, who
took up her duties on December 1st.
Other agencies which render assistance to the Dispensary are
the Invalid Children's Aid Association, whose work on behalf of the
children of the locality is beyond praise; the Charity Organisation
Society; the United Services Fund; the British Legion; and the
Red Cross Society, who do all in their power to help cases in need
of their aid.