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Defaulting
The question of defaulting is one to which attention is frequently drawn.
Analysis of the returns for 1938 shows that, as regards syphilis, 789 patients were
discharged after completion of treatment and final tests of cure, but that 2,841
patients failed to continue treatment until discharged. Of these, 449 ceased to
attend before completing one course of treatment; 1,970 after completing one course
of treatment but before completing treatment; and 422 after completion of treatment
but before final tests for cure. Of the 449 who ceased before completing one
course of treatment, 111 (compared with 100 in 1937) were in the primary stage
of the disease when, not only is the danger of transference of the disease greatest,
but when also the greatest benefit can accrue to the patient by continuing treatment.
In the case of gonorrhoea, 5,617 patients were discharged after completion of
treatment and final tests of cure, 4,783 patients failed to continue treatment until
discharged. Of these, 3,218 ceased to attend before completing treatment and
1,565 after completion of treatment but before final tests for cure; the corresponding
numbers for 1937 were 3,161 and 1,169, respectively.
Much time is spent by almoners and other officers of the various clinics in
"following up" defaulters. Many letters are despatched to patients and, where
considered practicable, home visiting is undertaken. In cases where default is due
to inability to attend through lack of means, bus or tram fares are paid.
Pathology
and
bacteriology
Another point worthy of note is the total number of examinations made of
pathological specimens. These have increased from 13,988 from treatment centres
and 3,649 from medical practitioners in 1917 to 263,710 and 48,763, respectively, in
1938.
Venereal
disease;
hostel
accommodation
During the year 1938 the number of patients dealt with at venereal disease
hostels from the areas in the scheme was 223, the aggregate number of days in
residence being 24,472. Comparative figures for 1937 were 237 and 28,075.
The London
County
Council
(Whitechapel)
clinic
During the year 1938 the number of new patients attending the London County
Council (Whitechapel) clinic, which is administered direct by the Council, was 3,673,
and attendances totalled 203,306. Of the new patients 84 per cent. of the male and 67
per cent. of the female venereal cases were infections of less than one year's duration.
The number of pathological examinations made at the clinic during the year
was 75,814; of these 11,937 were made for private practitioners. All these figures
are included in the figures for the scheme as a whole.
Publicity and
propaganda
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, 1938, some 405 addresses and lectures, several illustrated by film
exhibitions, were given in the London area, the total estimated attendance thereat
being 51,627. A grant of £2,380 16s. 7d. was made by the Council to the British
Social Hygiene Council for this work during this period.