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the best method of administering oxygen to patients. For practical purposes there
are two ways of administering oxygen, viz.:—(1) by nasal catheter, and (2) by
means of an oxygen tent. The latter method is widely used in America, but its use
in this country is only just beginning. It is claimed that, in certain cases, the tent
method is more effective than that of the nasal catheter, and that this has been
proved both experimentally and clinically. It is also claimed that lives have been
saved by the tent method that would most certainly have been lost otherwise. As
a result of his research, Dr. Poulton has devised a form of oxygen tent which has
proved of great use in dealing with the following classes of cases : (i) heart failure,
especially in elderly subjects, when associated with bronchitis; (ii) pneumonia;
(iii) asthma (especially when the oxygen is combined with 5 to 7 per cent. of carbon
dioxide; (iv) coronary thrombosis; (v) whooping-cough; (vi) any form of
breathlessness, except that due to diabetes or uraemia; (vii) coal gas and veronal
poisoning ; and (viii) coma (except coma due to diabetes).
The value of the research conducted by Dr. Poulton has been recognised by
the Medical Research Council, who have made an annual grant towards the cost
of the investigations. This grant has been utilised by Dr. Poulton in remunerating
a fully qualified physical therapeutist, who is employed in explaining the principles
and details of working the tent to the medical man and nurse in charge of the case,
and in demonstrating the methods of gas analysis. Dr. Poulton has generously
placed his own oxygen tent and also the services of the physical therapeutist at the
disposal of the Council without any charge except for transport and oxygen. The
tent has been used at several of the Council's hospitals with good results.
In order to encourage the work now being carried out by Dr. Poulton, and to
prevent the termination of the present investigations, which are not yet completed,
the Council agreed to make a special grant towards the expenses involved, and to
purchase two of the latest pattern oxygen tents to be situated at Lewisham
and Hammersmith hospitals. The tents at these hospitals will be available for use
also at the Council's other hospitals.
X-ray and radium treatment.
During the year the unit at the North-Western hospital for the treatment of
cancer of the uterus by means of radium was transferred to Lambeth hospital, where
it could be in close association with the deep X-ray therapy plant. The honorary
medical director (Sir Comyns Berkeley) is still in charge of the unit in its new home.
The deep X-ray therapy department at Lambeth hospital was also extended
by the addition of two 400 K.V. cannons, which, with the ancillary apparatus, cost
approximately £5,000. These were the first cannons to reach an output of 400,000
volts to be installed in the Council's hospitals, but subsequently two others of a
similar type were supplied to the British Postgraduate Medical School. The
apparatus was supplied by the contractor on the understanding that if, at the end
of an agreed period, the output did not reach 400,000, volts., the apparatus
would be removed and that no expense would be incurred by the Council. The
two cannons in question have proved satisfactory.
Electro-medical apparatus.
A comprehensive survey of the existing electro-medical apparatus in the
massage departments of the general hospitals was carried out by the chief engineer.
As a result of this survey, standard types of apparatus were approved, and the
massage department of each hospital will be equipped or re-equipped, where necessary,
at a total cost of approximately £8,300.
Electro-cardiographs.
In order to assist in the diagnosis of patients suffering from heart trouble and
to secure their efficient treatment, the Council on 3rd July, 1934, authorised the
supply of four mobile electro-cardiographs in addition to those already available in
three of the acute general hospitals.