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Tuberculosis of organs other than the lungs, e.g., bones and
joints, glands, etc., is treated in London County Council Surgical
Institutions. This type of disease tends to affect children more
than adults, and the results obtained on the whole are very
satisfactory. It is always desirable that such patients, when they
leave hospital, should continue to be seen at intervals by the
surgeons who have been responsible for them as in-patients, and
After-care Clinics are now held at County Hall with this object.
The reports made at these examinations are transmitted to the
Tuberculosis Officer, who thus has the benefit of a surgical opinion
in each case. This arrangement is, in my opinion, helpful for all
concerned, and its special merits are that it ensures collaboration
between Medical Superintendent and Tuberculosis Officer, increases
the frequency and continuity of observation ; and brings to light
at the earliest possible moment any evidence of relapse which
might call for a further period in sanatorium.
I have again to report on the very favourable results achieved
among children attending the L.C.C. Open-air School at Stormont
House, Clapton. This school receives patients who are suffering
from tuberculosis in a non-infectious stage, and Dr. H. Tylford
Howell, of the Victoria Park Hospital Dispensary, visits it every
week. Not only are the present needs of the scholars adequately
met, but special efforts are made to secure for them suitable
work when they leave school, and the Headmaster has arranged
successful reunions of old pupils, which have shown that almost
without exception health is maintained, while prospects in life
are by no means affected.
The after-care of persons who have left sanatorium and the
endeavour to ease as far as possible the burden that falls on a
family in which there is a tuberculous member, are within the
particular province of the Tuberculosis Care Committee. On the
whole this Committee, since it has no funds directly at its disposal,
must perforce act in a co-ordinating capacity, and this it does
be bringing the necessities of the patients to the notice of
organisations which are able to render financial and other aid.
The scope of the Public Assistance Scheme has been enlarged
considerably, but we are still greatly dependent on the help
received from the Invalid Children's Aid Association, the Charity
Organisation, the British Red Cross Society, and the British Legion,
to which every acknowledgment is due.
The Committee have been able to raise sufficient funds to
maintain the Handicrafts Class in a flourishing condition, largely
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