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38
Of the 306 persons found to have lesions which were probably tuberculous, 56
(18.3 per cent.) resided outside the administrative county of London, and any
treatment considered necessary was the responsibility of the appropriate tuberculosis
authority.
During the year, a survey was carried out by request of the Prison Governor at
Holloway Gaol, where 313 prisoners were examined, of whom ten were advised further
investigation.
Further surveys (mental patients and staff) were also carried out at Banstead
Hospital, Sutton, Surrey, and St. Lawrence's Hospital, Caterham, Surrey, where the
total number of patients examined was 4,115. Of these, at Banstead Hospital 2-54
per cent, male and 0-62 per cent, female showed significant previously unsuspected
lesions, probably tuberculous in origin, and at St. Lawrence's Hospital the comparative
findings were 4-0 per cent, male and 0-29 per cent, female. In addition,
240 members of the staff of these hospitals were examined, of whom three were
referred for further investigation. These examinations are not included in the
foregoing tables as they deal with a specially selected group.
Maintenance
allowances
(Memo. 966T)
Payment of maintenance allowances and grants under the Government's scheme,
set out in memorandum 266T of the Ministry of Health, to patients undergoing
prescribed treatment either in a hospital or sanatorium or at home under the tuberculosis
officer's direction, continued throughout the year.
The machinery of the dispensary service was utilised in connection with enquiries
for the purpose of determining the amounts payable, and, where practicable, for
the actual payment of the allowances. The tuberculosis officers are responsible for
determining eligibility on medical grounds for any allowances authorised, and the
Social Welfare Department is responsible for determining payment of allowances.
During the year approximately £137,000 was paid in allowances by the metropolitan
boroughs compared with £123,000 in 1945.
Midwivcs Acts, 1902 to 1936, nursing homes registration and contributions to
voluntary organisations for maternity and child welfare

Twenty-five mid wives who had surrendered their certificates under Section 5(1)
of the 1936 Act were permitted to resume midwifery for stipulated periods by order
made by the Council under Defence Regulation No. 33(1) of 1939.
All cases of raised temperature and skin affection are investigated by supervisors
of midwives and dealt with individually, and on fifty occasions midwives were
suspended to prevent the spread of infection. All eye affections in the new-born
are also visited by supervisors regularly until cured or admitted to hospital.
Number of
confinements
The subjoined statement shows the number of confinements which occurred
in London in each of the years 1938-1946, classified under the various forms of
attendance. The figures have been arrived at as a result of an examination of
statistics furnished from various sources.