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38
Handicraft
classes.
Among the activities of the tuberculosis care committees in several boroughs is
included the organisation of the dispensary handicraft classes, mainly for those who
are unfit for ordinary employment. The funds for such classes are provided from
voluntary sources, but it is the practice of the Council to provide and pay for the
services of an instructor. Generally, the goods made by the patients are either sold
by them privately or by means of sales of work organised by the voluntary care
committees and the proceeds, after deducting the cost of materials, are given to the
patients. There are in all 14 such classes in operation in London, an addition of
two classes since the previous year.
In addition, classes for glove-making have been established independently of
the Council in four boroughs in co-operation with the Central Fund for the Industrial
Welfare of Tuberculous Persons.
In each centre there is an organiser, usually honorary, whose duties embrace
visiting absentees, arranging sales of handiwork, fostering the social side of the class
and acting as treasurer. Over £200 was realised at the handicraft exhibition held
in the hall of the Carpenters' Company, in September, 1932. This exhibition was
organised by the Standing Conference of Tuberculosis Care Committees, and opened
by the Lord Mayor of London.
Employment
Assistance to patients in obtaining employment following residential treatment
is a feature of the activities of the tuberculosis care committees.
In view of the importance of the question of employment, a scheme was adopted
in 1928 which provides for the training for nursing and domestic service of selected
patients at King George V sanatorium after a period of treatment and special
observation at Pinewood sanatorium. Nine posts for nurses and nine for domestic
servants are reserved for trainees who complete satisfactorily the course of training.
Two workshops for the employment of men ex-sanatorium patients have been
established by the Central Fund for the Industrial Welfare of Tuberculous Persons.
One workshop is for men training to take their places in the leather trade, and one
is a firewood factory for unskilled workers.
Tuberculosis
contact
scheme.
The tuberculosis contact scheme was put into operation on 1st April, 1925,
and provides:—
(а) for the removal of children from heavily infected and overcrowded
homes occupied by a member of the family suffering from advanced tuberculosis.
(б) for the boarding-out of children who cannot otherwise be satisfactorily
provided for while their mothers are undergoing residential treatment for
tuberculosis.
With regard to (6), it is also found that the boarding-out of children is sometimes
necessary in cases where the patient is a widower.
The scheme is carried out through the Central Invalid Children's Aid Association,
who secure suitable homes for the children, make all arrangements for their admission
and discharge, and keep them under supervision during the time they are boardedout.
The Association also arrange for the homes to be periodically inspected. There is
no lower age limit and young infants are sometimes sent away under the scheme,
although considerable difficulty has always been experienced in finding suitable
homes for infants under twelve months of age. The elder children are mainly sent
to capable foster-mothers in the country. If possible, foster-mothers are selected
who have some experience of nursing. The very young infants are sent to babies'
hostels in London as it is found that they are readily susceptible to illness and
treatment is frequently necessary.
Recommendations for the boarding-out of children are received by the medical
officer of health of the Council in the first instance from the borough tuberculosis
officers, together with a statement of the grounds upon which removal of the children
is desired. Each case has to be approved by the medical officer of health of the
Council. If accepted, the borough medical officer of health is requested to refer the