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The continued use made by medical practitioners of the facilities for the
examination of pathological specimens is highly satisfactory.
Under the scheme, medical practitioners who fulfil certain conditions are entitled
to free supplies of the approved arsenobenzene preparations for the treatment of
their private patients. The number of medical practitioners availing themselves
of this service is now 492, compared with 108 at the end of 1917, the first year
of the operation of the scheme.
Venereal
disease;
hostel
accommodation.
From the outset the necessity was recognised for accommodation where young
women under treatment could be lodged during the period of infectivity. Certain
hostels managed by or independently of hospitals have received grants in aid for
this purpose, and experience has proved the value of these hostels for the more
efficient treatment of certain cases and for preventing the spread of disease. During
the year 1930, the number of patients dealt with at these institutions from the
areas in the scheme was 272, the aggregate number of days in residence being 30,362.
Comparative figures for 1929 were 249 and 26,525.
The hostels undertaking work in connection with the scheme for the year 1930,
were as follows :—
22, Highbury-quadrant, N. (Royal Free Hostels Committee); 148, Lambethroad,
S.E. (St. Thomas's Hospital); 80, Stockwell-park-road, S.W. (Southwark
Diocesan Association for Preventive and Rescue Work); 35, Parkhurst-road, N.
(West London Mission); 62, Regent's-park-road, N.W. (Royal Free Hostels Committee)
; Salvation Army Hostels, 122-124 and 126-128, Lower Clapton-road, E.
Rescue
homes.
The desirability of maintaining treatment and observation of girls and women
for whom residence in hostels has been provided during the acute stages of venereal
disease, engaged the attention of the Public Health Committee of the Council during
the year 1928. As a result, arrangements were made with the authorities of certain
rescue homes, providing vocational training in domestic and other work, to receive
young women and girls who, although requiring continued treatment and observation
had been certified by the medical officer of a clinic as fit to reside in any institution
without danger to other residents. These arrangements were completed
in the autumn of 1928, but have not been utilised to the extent anticipated despite
several circulars to V.D. clinics and hostels. During the year 1930 only five of the
eleven beds available were occupied. The total number of days in residence was 500.
The
London
County
Council
(Whitechapel)
Clinic.
On 1st July, 1930, the Venereal Diseases Clinic at the London Hospital, one
of the institutions in the London and Home Counties Scheme, was transferred to
the Council as an all-day clinic, and is now known as the London County Council
(Whitechapel) Clinic. It remains open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., and provision for
intermediate treatment is available daily, Sundays and Bank Holidays included,
throughout the year. The premises are rented from the London Hospital, but the
staff is appointed and the clinic maintained entirely by the Council.
Under the directorship of Dr. T. Anwyl Davies, assisted bv a loyal and efficient
staff, the clinic has been an unqualified success. During the first six months the
number of female patients increased two fold and the regular attendance of all
patients has considerably improved.