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126
During 1924, the numbers of new cases examined at the dispensaries were
8,081 adults (insured), 6,361 adults (uninsured) and 10,789 children.
Dental
treatment.
The provision of dental treatment in connection with dispensary treatment
is regarded as an essential part of the tuberculosis dispensary service. At the end
of 1924, proposals submitted by nineteen borough councils had been approved.
Cessation of
supervision.
With the object of reducing the number of cases of arrested disease under
supervision at the dispensaries after they have reached a stage at which they may
reasonably be regarded as "cured," the Council in consultation with the Minister
of Health approved arrangements for the cessation of dispensary treatment or
supervision of cases of tuberculosis on a definite basis, and the metropolitan borough
councils have been asked to put the arrangements into force on 1st January, 1925.
In consultation with the Minister of Health the Council has approved of
arrangements for the post-graduate instruction of tuberculosis officers.
Employment
of persons
treated for
tuberculosis.
Care
committees.
In consultation with the Ministry of Labour the Council has co-ordinated
arrangements for facilitating the finding of suitable employment for persons who
have received residential treatment for tuberculosis.
In accordance with circular No. 308 (8th May, 1922) of the Ministry of Health,
schemes have been submitted by the metropolitan borough councils for the establishment
of permanent tuberculosis care committees composed of representatives of
local authorities, boards of guardians, insurance committees and charitable and
social work organisations in the district. Such committees are in operation in
nearly all the metropolitan boroughs.
The functions of the care committees are set out in the circular addressed in
June, 1923, by the Council to the borough councils giving detailed information as
to work which, it was suggested, care committees might usefully perform.
Approved expenditure incurred by borough councils in respect of office and
clerical expenses in connection with the care committees ranks for the Government
grant and the Council's grant towards the cost of the dispensary service.
Physically
defective
children.
The Council considered the general question of the treatment and care of
physically defective children.* The Minister of Health was approached with a
view to determining the best steps to be taken to secure early and efficient diagnosis
and treatment of poliomyelitis, and of securing increased facilities for treatment
of the resulting infantile paralysis. As a result of consultation with the Ministry
it was clear that effort should be directed to rendering all possible assistance to
general medical practitioners in order to secure accurate diagnosis in doubtful cases.
Arrangements were made for the services of expert members of the Council's
medical staff to be made available for assistance in this matter.
The Metropolitan Asylums Board undertook, subject to the concurrence of the
Minister of Health, to provide additional accommodation of about 50 beds at its
orthopaedic hospital (Queen Mary's Hospital for Children) at Carshalton. In order
to secure the greatest measure of co-operation between the Council and the metropolitan
borough councils, it was arranged that the Council would inform the borough
councils of all cases sent for treatment and would desire similar information from
the borough councils as to cases referred to the Board. Ten beds for cases requiring
prolonged treatment were made available at St. Nicholas Orthopaedic Hospital,
Pyrford.
The Minister of Health issued to the metropolitan borough councils a circular
(No. 538—1st December, 1924) dealing with the foregoing arrangements, and
suggesting that the borough councils should co-operate with the Council in this
matter and should arrange for children requiring prolonged treatment to be referred
to the organisation set up by the Council for this purpose.
Venereal
disease.
Details are given in the Annual Report for 1921 (vol. III., p. 63) of the joint
*Physically Defective Children. Joint report made to the Council by the Education.
Committee and the Public Health Committee, December, 1923. No. 2274. Price 6d.