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Co-operation with general practitioners.—Progress has been made in 1921 in securing the
personal co-operation between the Tuberculosis Officer and general practitioners; and steps are
now being taken with a view to making more complete the system whereby practitioners
should report periodically on insured persons under domiciliary treatment.
Following up of doubtful cases.—Special note is made of those cases who are required to
attend again for observation, and in the event of their failing to do so they are specially visited
on the subject.
Home contacts.—The visitors endeavour to secure the attendance at the dispensary of all
home contacts, and continue the supervision of them in the course of their visiting.
Special methods of diagnosis and treatment.—(a) X-ray diagnosis : cases are referred for
this purpose to University College Hospital. There were 14 such cases in 1921. (b) Light
treatment for lupus: payment has been made for treatment of 2 cases in 1921 at the London
Hospital.
Dental clinic.—In 1921 a dental clinic for tuberculous persons was equipped at the St.
Pancras Dispensary, 39, Oakley Square, and Mr. Southcomb May, L.D.S., was appointed as
dental surgeon. The first clinic was held on 4th April. All cases dealt with are referred to
the dentist by the Tuberculosis Officer. From 4th April to the end of 1921, 21 clinics were
held, at which 80 cases made 112 attendances.
No. of attendances for extractions under nitrous oxide 59
„ „ when fillings were done 32
„ „ „ scalings were done 27
„ „ for examinations, &c. 7
Care and After-care.—Efforts are made to obtain help for the patients from the various
agencies that are able to assist them; particularly the Guardians, the Invalid Children's Aid
Association, the War Pensions authorities, the Soldiers' and Sailors' Families Association,
the British Red Cross, the Charity Organisation Society, parochial charities, &c. The work
of the Interim Tuberculosis Care Committee has not yet been taken over by a definitive
committee.