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136 Report of the Medical Officer of Health.
"With regard to the giving of instructions to those already
tuberculous, and to those in attendance on them, this has.
been done in this Borough for the past six years, and with
considerable success, although this cannot be definitely stated
in statistical form.
" More frequent visits are, however, advisable than is at
present possible with the existing staff.
" The other measures against Tuberculosis mentioned inthe
Memorandum are the investigation of cases of the
disease, advice being given, disinfection and cleansing recommended,
and spit bottles supplied to the poor. Spit bottles
have not vet been supplied by this Council, but from the
reports of the cases notified since January 1st, this would
appear to be a most desirable and necessary measure to
adopt, and not a costly one. Each bottle costs about 5d.
wholesale, and four dozen would possibly be supplied in one
year.
" The provision of Dispensary and Poor Law treatment
of patients is a measure which is at present carried out in
this Borough to a considerable extent, as will be observed in
the particulars given further on in this report on the cases
notified since January 1st of this year. The provision of
Dispensary treatment would include all the General Hospitals,,
the Brompton Hospital, as well as such agencies as the
Clapham Dispensary, the Weir Dispensary, Medical Aid
Societies, and Slate Clubs, most of these not being wholly
self-supporting. They, however, only deal with the early
treatment of cases, when the patient is in many instances still
at work and able to continue his weekly contributions. As
soon as these cease, he must eventually apply to the Relieving
Officer, and be treated as a parish case.
" The next measure—the provision of sanatoria- opens
up a very wide question, and one which cannot be adequately
or economically dealt with by individual boroughs. The only
Metropolitan Borough which has done anything in providing
sanatoria for Consumptives is Woolwich, and that Borough
supports seven beds in the Peppard Sanatorium. The cost