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46
Report of the Medical Officer of Health.
Dental Treatment.—The agreement with the British Dentists'
Hospital for providing dental treatment, including the provision
of dentures, has been in force throughout the year. Forty-five
patients received dental treatment and 20 of them were supplied
with dentures. The attendances at the dentist totalled 148.
Extra Nourishment.—On June 22nd, 1921, the Council decided
to supply extra nourishment to persons suffering from tuberculosis,
under Section 3 of the Public Health (Prevention and Treatment of
Disease) Act, 1913. The maximum amount which can be spent
in any one year is £2 per 1,000 population, i.e., £650 for the Borough.
The scheme was approved by the Ministry of Health and has been
in operation during the year. It provides that the nourishment
be granted on medical grounds only, and be considered as part of
treatment. It is limited to the slighter cases of disease, where
there is a reasonable probability that extra nourishment will increase
the chances of recovery, or will enable the patient to remain at
work, or to return to work at an early date. Any articles of diet
considered necessary for the particular individual can be ordered,
provided the total cost per patient does not exceed ten shillings
a week. The financial circumstances of each case are investigated
and steps are taken to ensure, as far as possible, that the articles of
diet ordered are consumed by the patient. During the year under
consideration, 83 patients have been granted extra nourishment
under the scheme at a cost of £156 6s. 4d. The scheme has been
found to be of great help in the treatment of the types of patient
mentioned above.
Shelters.—The two shelters have been in continuous use
during the year; and more, if available, could have been utilised.
Details of Work During 1922.—Table XXX. shows in the
first column the number of cases under observation at the Dispensary
at the beginning of the year ; then the number of new cases examined
during the year ; and, finally, the number of cases under observation
pending diagnosis at the end of the year. The total number of
cases thus dealt with is divided into three sub-groups, according as
they have been found to be suffering from tuberculosis of the lungs
or of other organs, or free from tuberculosis. These cases are all
divided into groups according to whether adults or children, and
also according to sex.
After giving the above details regarding all new cases, the
table deals with the contacts in a similar manner, and then with
the insured persons.