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50
Report of the Medical Officer of Health.
Contacts—Of the 1,358 new cases examined, 489 were contacts.
Eleven of these were found to be suffering from tuberculosis.
Care CoMiMiTTEE.—In November, 1916, the Wandsworth
Borough Council, acting on the suggestion of the Ministry of Health,
appointed an Interim Tuberculosis Care Committee. Upon the
suggestion of the London County Council, the subject was further
considered, and a permanent Tuberculosis Care Committee of a
representative character was appointed. In November, 1922,
letters were received from the Ministry of Health and the London
County Council approving the appointment of the permanent
Tuberculosis Care Committee for the Borough.
In previous years the custom was for the full Care Committee
to meet once a month—with additional meetings of the Sub-Committees
on alternate fortnights. During 1922, however, it was found
necessary to hold weekly meetings of the full committee alternately
at the Wandsworth and Balham Dispensaries. In addition, arrangements
have been made for dealing, in consultation with the Tuberculosis
Officer, with urgent matters arising between meetings of the
Care Committee.
In December, 1922, the Committee was unfortunate in losing the
services of Miss F. Walker, who has fulfilled the duties of Hon.
Secretary since the inception of the Care Committee Scheme. Mr. A.
R. Watson, who has had considerable experience in social welfare
work, was appointed as successor to Miss Walker.
Most of the charitable institutions in the neighbourhood are
represented on the Committee, and much valuable assistance has
been rendered to the necessitous patients. The help given by the
representatives of the Charity Organisation Society and the Invalid
Children's Aid Association in arranging for the treatment of adults
and children in Convalescent Homes, and in other directions, has
been invaluable. Increasing co-operation with local charitable
institutions has tended to extend the activities of the Committee,
and has provided much useful information regarding dispensary
cases.
Forty-one advanced cases have been visited regularly at their
own homes by Care Committee Visitors in addition to those patients
visited by the Dispensary Nurses. Medical and nursing requisites,
such as water-beds, air and water cushions, bed-rests, feeding-cups,