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21
TUBERCULOSIS.
Some consideration has been given to the question of the possibility of the introduction
of legislation which would entitle to some portion of sickness benefit under the National
Health Insurance Scheme those tuberculous patients who could only participate in a parttime
occupation by reason of their affliction. It is, of course, undesirable for a tuberculous
patient who has been undergoing treatment, say in a Sanatorium, to be plunged direct
into full-time arduous work, and certain workshops do exist where graduated labour is
arranged. It is felt, however, that, desirable as it may appear, that the wages earned by
this part-time work should be supplemented by some proportion of the sickness benefit,
such a policy would only tend to postpone the introduction of a scheme to deal with the
employment of the tuberculous in a comprehensive manner. The City Tuberculosis Officer
has expressed the opinion on more than one occasion, and this opinion is one with which
I am in complete accord, that for a large proportion of tuberculous patients employment
in a factory specially devoted to them is the only solution.
The problem, however, is one which must ultimately be dealt with on a very large scale.
PUBLIC HEALTH (PREVENTION OF TUBERCULOSIS) REGULATIONS, 1925.
It has not been necessary during the year to take any action in regard to the abovementioned
regulations, which provide for the exercise of some control over persons suffering
from certain Tuberculous affections and who are engaged in certain occupations associated
with the milk trade.
VENEREAL DISEASES.
The following is a brief summary of the work carried out at the Special Treatment
Centre for Venereal Diseases during the year 1927 :—
At the beginning of the year 399 males and 115 females were registered on the books
as being under treatment or observation, which compares with 276 males and 105 females at
the beginning of the previous year. Of these patients 202 males and 82 females were under
treatment for syphilis and 197 and 33 females for gonorrhoea. No patients were under
treatment for conditions other than venereal disease.
New patients admitted totalled 425 as compared with 485 in the previous year, and
402 in 1925 and 417 in 1924. 30 males and 17 females suffering from syphilis discharged
themselves before completing the first course, and 27 males and 13 females after completing
the first course, but before completion of treatment. 24 males and 26 females completed
treatment, but failed to submit themselves to final test ; 4 males and 1 female were transferred
to other centres, whilst 9 males and 1 female were discharged after completion of
treatment and observation.
In the case of gonorrhoea, 127 males and 21 females, out of the total of 189 and 33 of
the respective sexes coming under treatment during the year for the first time, discharged
themselves before completion of the first course of treatment.
The total number of attendances of all persons at the clinic was 12,501, which total is
made up as follows :—
Syphilis. Soft Chancre. Gonorrhoea. Non-Venereal Conditions. Total Attendances.
Male. Female. Male. Female. Male. Female. Male. Female. Male. Female.
4,969 1,320 — — 5,261 951 — — 10,230 2,271
A few beds are provided at the Centre for in-patient treatment and the number of
days of such treatment totalled : males, 0 ; and females, 17. It is intended, however, to
discontinue this in-patient treatment.
In the laboratories associated with the Centre 6,266 specimens were examined, 45 for
the detection of spirochetes, 1,011 for gonococci, 4,984 examinations for the Wassermann
reaction, and 226 other examinations.
The following tabulation indicates the number of patients coming under treatment for
the first time from the Counties stated and also the examinations which were made for the
detection of Spirochetes, of Gonococci and for the Wassermann reaction in respect of these
patients . \0. of patients treated. Examinations.
For Syphilis. For Gonorrhoea. For Non-Venerea I For Spirochetes. For Gonococci. For Wassermann For Non-Venereal
Conditions. Reactions. Conditions.
London 147 214 43 45 976 4,972 226
Essex — 3 2 — 20
Herts — 11 — 2
Surrey 12 2 — 8 4
Kent 2 1 2 — 3 8 —
Middlesex — 1 . 3 — 2
Totals 150 222 53 45 1,011 4,984 226
Included in the above total were *3.997 examinations for the Wassermann reaction at
the request of general practitioners.
Eleven specimens were submitted by general practitioners for examination for gonococci.
No specimens were submitted by general practitioners for examination for spirochetes
*Includes tests made for St. Bartholomew's Hospital and the Metropolitan Asylums Board.
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