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100
being considered unsuitable for sanatorium were recommended for hospital treatment
either as emergency cases (105) or otherwise (43). Of the patients recommended for
investigation, 34 were for diagnosis and 25 for decision as to suitability for sanatorium.
Ten applications were withdrawn by patients and one patient was refused treatment under
the Tuberculosis Scheme and accepted by the Ministry of Pensions.
The number of artificial pneumothorax refills given to St. Pancras patients shows a
further increase from 348 to 403. The results of this treatment are still under investigation
by the London County Council.
On February 14th certain proposals for the co-operation of the Tuberculosis
Dispensary with the Public Assistance Department were circulated to the Metropolitan
Boroughs. These proposals were included in a joint report by the Central Public Health
and Public Assistance Committees, which was accepted by the L.C.C. on February 7th,
and they were designed to provide suitable tuberculous patients with extra nourishment
through the local Public Assistance Committees. The District Medical Officers were
consulted on the matter, and it was agreed that they should refer all tuberculous patients
seen by them to the Tuberculosis Officer, and that, to save delay, they should recommend
suitable patients for extra nourishment first if they thought it necessary. The Tuberculosis
Officer, on the other hand, would recommend, direct to the Relieving Officer, all
suitable patients already attending the Dispensary. The scale of relief is such that it has
been found necessary to recommend in this manner every patient known to be in receipt
or in need of Public Assistance and, as a rule, when recommendations have been made the
Committees have allowed means to obtain a pint of milk and an egg daily for each patient
in addition to the ordinary diet. These arrangements for the distribution of extra
nourishment appear to work smoothly, but the allowance itself is by no means adequate,
especially when it is considered that proper nutrition is not more important to the patient
than to other members of a tuberculous family.
G. A. Back, M.B., B.Ch., D.P.H."