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* Including 30 per cent, war bonus.
I think these two sets of figures, which are fairly typical, are sufficient to indicate that the cost
of a dispensary service on the scale contemplated in 1915 would amount to at least 50 per cent, more
in 1920. But it is desirable that certain sections of the work shall be materially developed and that
dispensaries shall in future deal with more than one half the primary notifications of pulmonary tuberculosis,
and one.third the primary notifications of non.pulmonary in each year. This will involve the
appointment of additional staff, etc. On the other hand, if treatment of patients is only carried out at
the dispensary under special circumstances, some reduction of cost will be effected in the accounts for drugs.
Having regard to these possibilities, I think it is reasonable to estimate the cost of a dispensary
service for London as follows:—
Estimated cost of dispensary service (1915) £37,450
Add 50 per cent, to meet increased costs 18,725
Add to meet cost of improved service (say) 9,825
Estimated total cost of revised service in 1920.21 £66,000
The full costs of certain voluntary dispensaries were not, however, charged to the borough councils
in certain cases, and I estimate that the charge falling upon the councils is at present some £5,000 to
£7,000 per annum less than the actual cost of the dispensaries.