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51
Report of the Medical Officer of Health.
&c., have been gradually acquired by the Committee, and these
articles are provided on loan to necessitous cases. Members of the
Committee have also kept in touch with those Dispensary patients
who enter St. James' Hospital, 62 of these cases having been
visited weekly during the year. These visits are greatly appreciated
by the patients.
Two beds have been bought by the Committee, and these are
of great value in minimising the risk of infection in homes where
there is insufficient bed accommodation, One of these has been in
constant use in one of the shelters supplied by the Borough Council.
Articles of clothing have been supplied to patients in need of it,
especially to patients entering institutions.
During the year under review it has been found more difficult
to obtain suitable employment for patients. The girl patients who
were placed as Probationers in Sanatoria last year are still going
on with their training, one having been transferred to a General
Hospital in Devon to complete her training as a Nurse. Suitable
employment has been found with a local firm of gardeners for two
young men, and both are making very satisfactory progress. Various
other temporary situations—such as jobbing gardening for men,
and house or needle work for women—have been found from time
to time.
Further efforts were made during the year to raise funds for the
maintenance of beds for advanced cases of tuberculosis at
St. Columba's Hospital, Hampstead. Largely through the instrumentality
of Mrs. Nicol, the "Streatham New Players" Amateur
Dramatic Society gave several performances at the Congregational
Church Hall, Streatham, and the amount raised by this means was
£103. A small Sale of Work arranged by Miss Moores, one of the
Dispensary Nurses, realised £20 in aid of this fund. As a result of
such voluntary efforts, one or more beds have been in use continuously
during the year. As there is always great difficulty in
arranging for institutional treatment under the London County
Council's Scherrle for very advanced cases who are too ill to be
treated at home, the beds maintained at St. Columba's Home by
this voluntary fund have been of the greatest service. All patients
treated in this home have been very grateful for the care and
attention given to them.
(9323jq e 2