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35
Report of the Medical Officer of Health.
recovered at the end of 1916, the figure can now be increased to
eight. None of the cases noted as recovered have shown any
signs of relapse. It is probable that a good many more might be
added to the "recovered" class, but it is felt that it is better not
to include any of those who have not been under observation for a
length of time.
Tuberculin and Spengler's serum I.K. have been used in 51
cases. Owing to the difficulty in obtaining I.K. at the present
time its use has been almost discontinued. Of the 51 cases, two
have recovered, 33 improved, the improvement in many of the
cases setting in very markedly soon after commencing the treatment.
In seven cases there was no change, and in seven the disease
advanced and two died.
Autogenous vaccines have been given to 18 cases. In five of
these the treatment was continued from 1916, leaving 13 new
cases so treated in 1917. Of the five cases from the previous year,
two entirely recovered, and one, a man discharged from the Army
on account of Pulmonary Tuberculosis, so improved by the treatment
that he was able to return to work, and though he has since
moved out of the borough he has written on his own initiative to
say how well he is keeping. Of the two remaining cases one is
considerably better, while in the other no material benefit was
obtained.
Of the 13 new cases treated by this method all have made
satisfactory progress, save one in which death occurred from acute
Pulmonary Tuberculosis. Two cases, complicated by Asthma,
have had considerable relief.
A large number of home visits were made by the Dispensary
Nurse, the total for the year being 1,482. This is a very necessary
and important part of the work, as it is impossible to know anything
of the home conditions, so important in such a disease as
Tuberculosis, unless the patients are personally visited.