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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 494, 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,
and where various interests and occupations could be provided. 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 1931, the number of patients dealt with at these institutions from the
areas in the scheme was 250, the aggregate number of days in residence being 26,898.
Comparative figures for 1930 were 272 and 30,362.
The hostels undertaking work in connection with the scheme for the year 1931,
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 up
to eleven 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 an
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 1931 only three girls
availed themselves of these facilities. The total number of days in residence was 850.
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 taken over by
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 by a loyal and efficient
staff, the clinic has been an unqualified success. During the first six months the clinic
was in use, 1,527 new patients and 76,183 attendances were registered, whilst for the
year 1931, the number of new patients was 3,545 and the attendances totalled
215,445. Of the new patients, 76.2 per cent. of the male and 66.6 per cent. of the
female venereal cases were infections of less than one year's standing.
The number of pathological examinations made at the clinic for the year 1931
was 51,717, of which 7,236 were made for medical practitioners, for whose convenience
arrangements have been made for results of certain tests to be communicated by
telephone within three hours of the delivery of specimens.
Facilities for the study of venereal diseases are available for medical students
and post-graduates, and the weekly demonstrations have been well attended during
the year.