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126
Report of the Medical Officer of Health.
"(5-) With regard to the object of the proposed dispensary,
we desire to state that it would not be solely a place where Tuberculin
treatment is given, but would be the centre from which
would radiate all the municipal measures in the Borough for the
cure and prevention of consumption.
"(6.) We beg to point out, however, that the scheme which
we suggest is susceptible of extension, if the Council should so
decide.
"(7.) We also beg to report that if the Council should desire
to add to the scheme the provision of beds in sanatoria, this t an
be secured at Peppard or other sanatoria at a cost of 30s. per bed
per week.
"(8.) In conclusion we have to report that, after carefully
reconsidering the whole subject, we endorse our previous report,
and again recommend the Council to establish a dispensary, on the
lines suggested, for the treatment of persons suffering from Tuberculosis,
and that such dispensary be under the control of the
Public Health Committee ; and that the matter be referred to us
to take the necessary, steps to carry out."
This report, after discussion by the Council, was withdrawn.
Since the date of the last report I have again carefully studied
the whole subject and I am decidedly of opinion that the establishment
of a Tuberculosis Dispensary on the lines suggested by the
Public Health Committee would be the most satisfactory means
of dealing with the question, as far as our present knowledge goes.
Many other Authorities have quite recently established
dispensaries on similar lines and others are considering the question,
and if the Council is to do anything in the way of checking Tuberculosis
no more satisfactory or economical scheme could, in my
opinion, be adopted.
It may with some reason be argued that the death-rate from
Tuberculosis in the Borough is less compared with the rest of the