View report page

34 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 refeired to St. Thomas's Hospital under the
scheme in force since 1913. As shown in Table XX. a smaller
number of cases has been referred to the Hospital under this
arrangement than in the previous year, due to the fact that it
has not been found necessary to send so many cases 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 the scheme 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 has been in operation. By means of Form M.O. 333
a continuous record of a suspected child's tuberculosis history
is 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 on
page 38.