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59
Report on the Work carried out at the Tuberculosis Dispensary.
New Patients and Contacts.
There has been a slight increase in the number of notifications since last year and the
number of new cases dealt with at the Dispensary shows a definite increase due to the larger
number of patients sent for diagnosis.
The number of new contacts attending has increased from 222 to 233. The total number
of contacts of the 355 cases notified during the year was 631 and of these 36 per cent. had been
examined at the Dispensary and 16 per cent. elsewhere by the end of March, 1947.
Institutional Treatment.
This is provided by the London County Council in sanatoria, special hospitals and in
the tuberculosis wards of their general hospitals. Application for admission is made as a rule
on the appropriate form by the Tuberculosis Officer or the resident staff of the voluntary
hospitals, but in emergency patients may be admitted by application to the Medical Superintendent
of Highgate Hospital. Altogether 329 applications were accepted. Of these 164
were admissions to General Hospitals, 144 to sanatoria, and 21 to various hospitals for observation
for diagnosis.
Artificial Pneumothorax Treatment.
This work is carried out at various voluntary and London County Council hospitals
for patients who have been discharged from hospitals and sanatoria, at a cost to the Borough
Council of 10s. 6d. per refill and by the Tuberculosis Officer when he visits Highgate Hospital,
without charge to the Borough Council. The total number of refills given during the year was
2,444 and of these 338 were carried out at Brompton Hospital, 1,426 at University College
Hospital, 533 at Highgate Hospital, and 147 at other hospitals.
Light Treatment.
Finsen Light Treatment for lupus is provided usually at the London Hospital and at
University College Hospital at a cost to the Borough Council of 5s. per attendance. No attendances
were made at the London Hospital and none at University College Hospital during the
year.
X-Ray Examinations.
These are carried out at the Archway Hospital and at Highgate Hospital. The charge
is 2s. 6d. per film and the work is carried out by the visiting Radiologist or by the Tuberculosis
Officer when he visits the hospital. Of the 1,237 examinations made during the year 906 were
made at Highgate Hospital by the Tuberculosis Officer. The total number of films made was
1,478.
Home Visits by Tuberculosis Visitors.
These visits were made in order to (i) verify notifications ; (ii) investigate the home
conditions and report on overcrowding, sanitary defects, need for financial assistance, etc. ;
and (iii) give instructions in the prevention of tuberculosis and to invite contacts and patients
to attend the Dispensary.