Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Stoke Newington, The Metropolitan Borough]
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boroughs which they have left, of their intention of moving. They
thus manage to evade detection till such time as their symptons
drive them to seek medical advice.
Of the Pulmonary cases primarily notified in the Dispensary area,
classification as to the severity of the condition on diagnosis shows
the following results:
Hackney.—45 in an early, 29 in an intermediate, and 4 in an
advanced stage.
Stoke Newington.—24 in an early, 14 in an intermediate, and
3 in an advanced stage.
Consultations with local practitioners (either personal, by
telephone, or by letter) have been more numerous than in previous
years, totalling 1,046 in Hackney and 370 in Stoke Newington.
In my opinion, this frequent interchange of views and opinions is not
only beneficial to the patient, but it also tends to stimulate interest
in the clinical study of the disease, and is helpful in keeping before
both the Tuberculosis Officer and the family doctor the respective
difficulties with which each has to contend. The result is, I am
happy to say, that the cordial relationship already existing has been
fully maintained. The general practitioners know that the activities
of the Tuberculosis Service do not in any way encroach on their
practice, and their sympathetic co-operation is greatly appreciated.
I wish again to draw attention to the invaluable work done by
the Health Visitors, Miss Servanter in Hackney, and Miss Greenwood
in Stoke Newington. It would be impossible for me to over emphasise
the assistance that they have rendered me. The type of
home visiting and supervision which they carry out calls for energy
and enthusiasm, but throughout the year their duties have been
performed in a way which one can confidently say has raised the
prestige of the Dispensary in the neighbourhood.
Care Committee.—The manifold duties devolving upon a
Tuberculosis Care Committee are appreciated by all those who
come in contact with either the social or the medical side of any
Tuberculosis Scheme. It is not, however, always understood how
great or how numerous are the difficulties with which such a committee
has to contend. In order to ensure the well-being of any
patient before he goes away, and to render permanent the improvement
made by him in sanatorium, it is essential that he should be
properly housed, fed and clothed. This cannot be done directly
by the Committee, since it has no funds for this purpose, and it is
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