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(3) Supervision of Home Conditions.—This is for the most
part carried out by the Tuberculosis Health Visitors, who call at
the home of every notified case, whether seen at the Dispensary or
not, and examine the housing accommodation, making arrangements
for improvements if necessary, and refer any sanitary
defects to the Medical Officer of Health for his consideration. In
addition, the visitors secure where possible the attendance of
contacts—a branch of the work in which they have been very
successful. Contacts are persons whose examination is desirable
by reason of the fact that they have been exposed to infection
from a tubercular person, not because they themselves suffer
from any symptoms; so that it is easy to understand that it
requires considerable tact and perseverance to prevail upon many
of them to attend.
The Tuberculosis Nurses also visit the houses of patients
periodically, especially where the case is advanced, and where the
conditions are not satisfactory.
The Tuberculosis Officer calls at the homes of all patients seen
at the Dispensary, and takes any action he may find desirable in
respect of conditions found susceptible of alteration and improvement.
Such visits, together with those made for purposes of
examination and consultation, amounted to 96.
In July, 1933, Mrs. Ager, who carried on the duties of Health
Visitor for Stoke Newington since the opening of the Dispensary,
had to retire owing to illness. Her loss was a severe one, as she
had acquired the confidence of the patients, and an intimate
knowledge of the conditions obtaining in the Borough ; and we
hope that her well-earned rest will bring renewal of health.
(4) To Instruct Patients and Others in Preventive
Measures.—In my opinion, propaganda work against any one
special disease such as tuberculosis, best takes the form of advice
given privately rather than by lectures. The Health Visitors and
the Tuberculosis Officer make a point of giving instruction as
opportunity arises, and a special pamphlet has been compiled with
useful information, which is supplied to the heads of all households
involved.