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Report of the Medical Officer of Health.
45
The total number of visits made was 1,149 in cases of pulmonary
tuberculosis, 188 in Clapham, 82 in Putney, 258 in Streatham,
241 in Tooting, and 380 in Wandsworth, and 438 in cases of other
forms of tuberculosis, 68 in Clapham, 30 in Putney, 81 in Streatham,
67 in Tooting, and 192 in Wandsworth. In addition to these visits
by the Health Visitor, 3,658 visits were made by the Dispensary
Nurses, these visits being made by the instruction of the Tuberculosis
Officer to cases under his care at the Dispensary.
During the year 20 sputum flasks have been supplied, and
in eight of the cases visited the patients already had one.
During the year disinfection was carried out at 303 premises
either after the death or removal of the patient; 54 of the premises
disinfected were in Clapham, 24 in Putney, 90 in Streatham,
37 in Tooting, and 98 in Wandsworth.
TUBERCULOSIS DISPENSARIES.
There have been no changes in the Staff of the Dispensaries
during the year.
Institutional Treatment.—The responsibility for Institutional
Treatment of all persons now rests with the London County Council.
Under this arrangement, all applications for treatment in residential
institutions are made to the County Medical Officer of Health,
whether the person is insured or not, and uniformity of procedure
has resulted. The arrangements include the provision of observation
beds for cases of difficulty, where special investigations are
required in order to arrive at a correct diagnosis. These beds have
proved of considerable help in dealing with cases of this nature.
Co-operation with other Institutions.—Cases requiring special
investigation which can be carried out without admission to Hospital
are still referred to St. Thomas's Hospital under the scheme in force
since 1913. As shown in Table XXXI., a smaller number of cases
has been referred to the Hospital under this arrangement than the
previous year, due to the fact that it has not been found necessary
to send so many cases to that Hospital for examination. The
reports forwarded have been of great value. The scheme has been
extended to include the treatment of lupus by Finsen Light or X-rays.
Arrangements have also been made with the Hospital for Consumption,
Brompton, for supplying refills to patients who have been
treated by the artificial pneumothorax method.