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The actual number of new cases is about the same as during the previous year. The
year ended with 849 on the Register, as compared with 885 in 1927. The number of attendances
was 4,398, as compared with 5,094. There was, however, an increase of 18 in the number
of cases sent up by general practitioners.
Staff.—The staff of the Tuberculosis Dispensary consists of one whole-time tuberculosis
officer, a part-time assistant tuberculosis officer, a whole-time nurse, a whole-time clerk, and
the part-time services of six women health visitors, whose services practically equal two
whole-time health visitors. In addition the services of a part-time dispenser are available.
The work of the Dispensary includes diagnosis of new cases; recommendation of notified
cases for Sanatoria or other institutional treatment, the examination and supervision of
contacts, home inspections, examinations of sputa, etc.
X-ray examinations, when required, are carried out under arrangements made with
University College Hospital, and treatment by Fmsen light, for cases of Lupus, at the London
Hospital.
Dental treatment is carried out at the Dental department of the St. Pancras Dispensary.
Artificial Pneumothorax treatment is done chiefly at the Brompton Hospital, and a few
cases at University College Hospital.
Considerable use is made of the Charity Organisation Department, the British Red
Cross Association and various other charitable associations.
Close touch is kept with the Tuberculosis Care Committee, the sub-committee
meetings of which are attended each week by the Tuberculosis Officer.
Some of the great needs of the work of the dispensary are 1. The means of offering
suitable employment for those who return from Sanatoria fit for light work. 2. Means to
alleviate excessive overcrowding in certain cases. 3. Increased use of the facilities for
boarding out contact children, or at least giving unsatisfactory contact children country
convalescence.
In November permission was granted for the Tuberculosis Officer to attend a week's
post-graduate instruction at the Victoria Park Hospital for diseases of the chest. The course
was of great interest and has proved to be of intense value in the work of the dispensary.
By its means a unique opportunity was given of observing and learning all the modern
methods of diagnosis and treatment.
A. VINEY, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., D.P.H."