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62
The following report on the clinical work carried out at the Dispensaries during the
year has been furnished by the Tuberculosis Officer, Dr. Viaey:—
Tuberculosis Dispensary Report for 1925.
In March, 1925, it was decided to concentrate all the St. Pancras cases of Tuberculosis
at the Dispensary at 39, Oakley Square, and, in consequence, those who had previously
attended University College Hospital and Maiden Road were transferred to Oakley Square,
and the Maiden Road Dispensary was closed.
This has been found greatly to have facilitated the work in all ways, and has not proved
inconvenient to the patients attending.
Nine Clinics are held weekly. Two mornings—011 Mondays and Fridays. Five
afternoons—011 Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Two evenings—
on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The average attendance per Clinic being 14.
New cases are obtained by various means:—
1. Sent up by local Practitioners.
2. Attend on their own account.
3. Transferred from Hospitals or Dispensaries as being St. Pancras residents.
4. Requested to attend as Contacts by the Tuberculosis Officer or Health Visitors.
These cases are kept under close observation until a diagnosis can be made, when, if
proved to be tuberculous, they are recommended Institutional Treatment under the London
County Council Scheme, and if non-tuberculous, are either discharged or kept under future
supervision. When necessary cases arc sent to the University College Hospital for X-ray
examination and report.
Sputums arc tested at the Dispensary, it being the practice to obtain 3 negative
sputums before requiring X-ray in lung cases, the third sputum specimen being tested by
some special means as the Antiformin method or the Doppelmethode.
Attempts are made to establish the diagnosis within a month of first seeing the patient,
but in cases where it is obvious that ground is not being lost by so doing, this period is
extended.
In suspicious cases, admission can be obtained to Brompton Hospital for diagnosis
purposes if desired, and use is made of this assistance in a few instances.
The Dispensary being primarily for diagnosis and general supervision purposes,
patients are encouraged to go to their private or panel doctor for any treatment required
when they are at home; but to attend the Dispensary at regular intervals for examination.
In the cases, however, where a patient has no panel doctor, and is not in a position to afford
medical fees, treatment is given at the Dispensary, provided they are well enough to attend
regularly; but if unable to do so, they are cncouraged to seek assistance from the District
(Poor Law) Medical Officer, or to enter the Highgate Hospital.
All established cases of Pulmonary Tuberculosis are sent to the Dental Surgeon at
39, Oakley Square to have such dental treatment done as is necessary, previous to their
admission to Sanatorium, the arrangements being the Borough Council pays 5s. per patient
for scaling, 5s. per tooth for stoppings, 5s. per patient for extractions, with 5s. extra if an
anaesthetic is required, and £2 or £4 for single or double dentures. The patients who require
artificial teeth are assessed by the Tuberculosis Care Committee and make contributions