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73
sum to be paid was in the hands of the Tuberculosis Care Committee.
In the autumn of 1934 the procedure was revised by the London
County Council, who decided that in future all treatment should be
free. In my opinion, the change was desirable as, in a disease such
as tuberculosis it is necessary that the standard of living, both of the
patient and of his relatives, should be as high as possible, and even
the payment of a comparatively small sum would tend to increase
financial difficulties, which one can anticipate in most cases will
tend to become progressively more acute. The chief objection to
the alteration is that persons who can afford to pay full cost may
still apply for treatment, and receive that to which they are not
entitled on economic grounds. To meet this contingency, it was
resolved that such individuals should be instructed that they could
contribute any sum which they felt within their power.
The assessment of cases had hitherto occupied a great deal of
the time of the Care Committee and of the secretary and her
colleague, and they are now free to devote themselves entirely to
functions more properly within their sphere, but in order to assist
patients in the amelioration of their circumstances, it is still
necessary that enquiries should be carried out, though in a less
formal manner. The other activities of the committee have been
maintained. The Handicrafts Class, now re-organised on a completely
voluntary financial basis, has paid its way, and the cost of the
services of the teacher and of the provision of materials have been
defrayed by the organisation of sales of goods made by members
of the class. In addition, gifts of money have been received from
individuals, and organisations such as the National Association for
the Prevention of Tuberculosis, Alexandra Rose Day Fund, Inner
Wheel of the Rotary Club, Hackney and Stoke Newington Chamber
of Commerce, and Women's Section of the British Legion. It seems
probable that the committee will be able to maintain the class so
long as the assistance so generously given in the past year is
continued.
The social side of the work is much facilitated by our contact
with such bodies as the Invalid Children's Aid Association, Charity