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room, consulting room, office and lavatory. Two dressing rooms are obtained by partitioning
off a portion of the waiting room. Nine consultations are held in each week, 2 in the
morning, 5 in the afternoon, and 2 in the evening.
The following report on the work of the Dispensary during the year has been furnished
by the Tuberculosis Officer:—
" The year of 1927 has been one of increased activity in the Tuberculosis Dispensary.
The number of new cases show a marked increase, 793 as against 685. The number of attendances
have risen from 4,533 to 5,094, and the number of visits of Health Visitors from 4,580 to
5,279. There have been 917 sputa examined and 55 X-ray reports obtained, as against 804
and 33 in 1926. Of the 793 new cases, 198 were Contact cases and of these 8 were found to
be definitely tuberculous.
Twenty-two cases have been recommended for hospital observation previous to diagnosis,
nine of these being subsequently diagnosed as tuberculous.
Two hundred and twenty-five cases have been sent up by private doctors for an opinion.
Two hundred and thirteen cases have been recommended for Institutional treatment,
and of these 158 have already returned, 18 are still away, and the remainder, for various reasons,
did not go away or were refused vacancies.
Of the 158 who have had Sanatorium treatment, 99 returned "Improved," 26
"Stationary," 9 "Worse," 15 died, and 9 have not yet been seen since their return.
Throughout the year, the work of the Tuberculosis Dispensary has continued smoothly,
and close touch has been kept with local Medical Practitioners, Ministry of Pensions, British
Red Cross Association, Charity Organisation Society and various charitable organisations.
The task of finding work for patients who have returned from Sanatorium fit for light,
or part-time work, remains most difficult. Where possible, cases are referred to the local Labour
Exchange, with suggestions as to suitable occupations, and although by this means few find
employment, it is found that the majority of patients who obtain work do so by their own
initiative.
It has been noticed that an increasing number of people appear to realise the main
symptoms of phthisis and to seek advice early, if any of these symptoms occur ; and a growing
number of patients are advised to go to the Dispensary by other patients or neighbours because
they appear to have symptoms of consumption. In consequence, a larger number of cases are
seen for the first time in the earlier stages than were formerly. This is encouraging, as great
importance is attached to the educational side of the Dispensary work.
A. VINEY, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., D.P.H."