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Report of the Medical Officer of Health.
As in former years, there has been great difficulty in arranging
institutional treatment for advanced cases, owing to the apparently
inadequate provision made for this type of case under the County
Council's scheme.
More beds are required for these cases, and it would be a great
advantage if provision could be made for the beds to be as near as
possible to the homes of the patients, so as to be readily accessible
to relatives.
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 XXII., 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.
During the year a new system was instituted by the London
County Council, with a view to ensuring closer co-operation between
the Dispensary and the School Medical Service, in the observation
and treatment of school children suspected to be suffering from
Tuberculosis. By means of Form M.O. 333 a continuous record of a
suspected child's tuberculosis history can be kept, both the Tuberculosis
Officer and the School Medical Officer having access to the
same records.
As in former years, the Tuberculosis Officers have continued
to act as Medical Referees to the Ministry of Pensions, whilst the
Tuberculosis Visitors have devoted a considerable amount of time
to the visiting of Discharged Soldiers, as may be seen from
Table XXIII.
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. 40 patients
received dental treatment and 12 of these were supplied with
dentures. The attendances at the dentist totalled 91.