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33
Tnberculosis Dispensaries.
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All persons found to be suffering from Tuberculosis are
interviewed by the Secretary who is able to give them advice and
assistance in many directions. She also pays regular visits, which
are much appreciated, to patients who are being nursed at their
homes or in one of the London County Council's General Hospitals.
193 patients were visited during the year.
The Committee controls a Fund, maintained by voluntary
contributions, from which grants are made to patients who are
ineligible for assistance from other organisations. Assistance
from the Fund is granted to relatives to enable them to visit
patients undergoing treatment in institutions. Patients are
also assisted with their removal expenses to better housing
accommodation and with arrears of rent and insurance payments.
Clothing is supplied when required and medical and
nursing requisites are lent to those who need them. An amount
of £93 4s. 4d. was spent in this manner during the year.
Until recently this Fund has been able to provide convalescence
for cases who were in need of this special form of
treatment, and maintained a small Convalescent Home at Lancing
until June, 1940, when the Home had to be closed on account
of the war. The cost of convalescent treatment during the year
was £109 0s. 6d.
Handicraft Class. The Committee maintains a Handicraft
Class where patients suffering from Tuberculosis are taught
to make articles which they can sell. The class meets at the
Wandsworth Dispensary every Monday morning from 10.30 to
12.30. Prior to the outbreak of war a trained instructress conducted
the class, but it has not been possible to obtain her services
since, so it is now conducted under the supervision of the Secretary
of the Committee with assistance from those patients who
have become proficient in the work. The crafts taught include
the making of articles in pewter, leather and parchment; embroidery,
knitting, rug-making and painting on glass.