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21
One cardiograph has now been allocated to each of the seven groups into which
the Council's genera) hospitals are divided for the purpose of the consultant and
specialist scheme.
Patients requiring an electro-cardiogram are taken, where possible, for this
purpose to the appropriate hospital in the group.
Out-patients.
As in previous years, authority has been granted for the treatment of
certain patients by insulin or pituitrin at the out-patient departments of voluntary
hospitals. The total number of 62 persons provided for during the year is the same
as in 1933.
Treatment
by insulin
and pituitrin.
Arrangements for the treatment at the British Red Cross Society's clinic for
rheumatism, the Institute of Ray Therapy and the St. John's clinic for patients
suffering from rheumatic diseases were continued, and 39 patients, whose treatment
could not be carried out at the Council's general hospitals, received treatment at
these clinics during the year. Six patients accommodated at the City of London
institution have been under treatment for lupus at the London hospital. Eleven
adult patients suffering from trachoma were accommodated at the Holborn and
Finsbury institution, and sent as out-patients to the Royal London Ophthalmic
hospital for treatment.
Clinics for
special
treatment.
Dental services.
After consultation with the British Dental Association, the Council fixed the
scales of salaries and conditions of service for part-time and full-time dental surgeons
appointed to the general hospitals, and, as opportunity has arisen, payments
to dentists appointed to the hospitals have been assimilated to these scales.
Additional dental sessions have been provided at a number of hospitals where
they were required to enable the dentist to cope with immediate needs in the dental
treatment of patients. In the meantime, opportunity has been taken to discuss
with the medical superintendents the question of the types of cases in which dental
treatment should be provided, with a view to establishing a more uniform standard
throughout the hospital service.
There can be little doubt that there is a growing realisation of the advantage of
dental treatment in the medical care of patients ; and, as a result, it is contemplated
that further developments in the dental services will take place in ensuing years.
A table is given on pages 70-71 showing the work carried out by dentists in
general hospitals during the year 1934. This has been prepared from such information
as was available, but must be accepted with reserve as a uniform record
system has only just come into use.
The central dental laboratory has been removed from Hammersmith hospital
to more convenient premises at St. James's hospital.
The arrangements for the manufacture of dentures continue to be entirely
satisfactory, and proposals are under consideration for an extension of the existing
facilities.
In addition to the manufacture and repair of dentures for a number of general
hospitals, the laboratory also undertakes the manufacture of appliances required
for the plastic surgery unit, and in connection with orthodontic treatment of school
children carried out by the school medical service.
Dietaries.
The dieting of sick persons in hospitals and institutions is a medical question,
and the duty of prescribing standardised scales therefor devolves upon the medical
officer of health, subject to the right of the hospital medical staff to order such
extras as are considered necessary, and to prescribe special diets in individual cases.
The want of uniformity in the dietaries in force at the hospitals transferred to
the Council in April, 1930, indicated the need for a measure of standardisation.
As stated in preceding annual reports, uniform dietaries have been introduced
provisionally, with modifications in detail, within the past two years.