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39
Considerable use is made by medical practitioners of the facilities for the
examination of pathological specimens.
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 or hospital patients. The number of medical practitioners within the
county availing themselves of this service is now 566, compared with 108 at the end
of 1917, the first year of the operation of the scheme.
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 1937 the number of patients dealt with at these institutions from the
areas in the scheme was 237, the aggregate number of days in residence being 28,075.
Comparative figures for 1936 were 229 and 23,496.
The liostels undertaking work in connection with the scheme for the year 1937
were as follows :—
20-22, Highbury-quadrant, N. (Royal Free Hostels Committee); 148, Lambethroad,
S.E. (St. Thomas's hospital); 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.
Venereal
disease ;
hostel
accommodation
Two girls were provided with accommodation in rescue homes in accordance
with the arrangements described in the report for 1936.
Rescue
homes
During the year 1937 the number of new patients attending the London County
Council (Whitechapel) clinic, which is administered direct by the Council, was 3,665
and attendances totalled 257,581. Of the new patients 84 per cent, of the male and 74
per cent, of the female venereal cases were infections of less than one year's duration.
The London
County
Council
(Whitechapel)
clinic
The number of pathological examinations made at the clinic during the year
was 69,211 ; of these 9,446 were made for private practitioners. All these figures
are included in the figures for the scheme as a whole.
As at other clinics in the scheme, facilities for the study of venereal diseases
are available for midwives, medical students and post-graduates. In addition a
special course of instruction for post-graduates is held twice a year.
Facilities for the treatment of venereal diseases are also provided within the
Council's municipal hospitals service. Special wards are provided for both male
and female patients and provision is also made for maternity cases. In addition,
children suffering from vulvo-vaginitis or from congenital syphilis are accommodated
in special units. Further details are contained in Vol. IV, Part I, of the Annual
Report.
Under present arrangements, the British Social Hygiene Council exercises
certain of the Council's powers relating to propaganda work, and is assisted in this
work by local propaganda committees which work in close co-operation with the
public health committees of the Metropolitan Borough Councils. During the year
ended 31st March, 1937, some 456 addresses and lectures, several illustrated by film
exhibitions, were given in the London area, the total estimated attendance thereat
being 41,195. A grant of £2,405 10s. lOd. was made by the Council to the British
Social Hygiene Council for this work during this period.
Publicity and
propaganda
The decline in the number of new cases of syphilitic infection attending the
approved centres in the London and Home Counties Scheme was fully commented
upon in the Annual Report for the year 1936. There has been no further decline
during 1937, the returns received from the centres for the year showing a small
increase of 6 cases over the total for the preceding year. Analysis shows a reduction
of cases in males and an increase in females.
Apparent
decline in the
incidence of
syphilis