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23
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 Tuberculous affections and who are engaged in certain occupations associated with
the milk trade.
TUBERCULOSIS DISPENSARY.—TRAINING OF HEALTH VISITORS.
The facilities available at the Tuberculosis Dispensary are placed at the disposal of the
College of Nursing in order that that body can give to their health-visitor students a short
course of practical experience in tuberculosis work as undertaken by a tuberculosis nurse.
This should prove of considerable value in all future training of health visitors.
VENEREAL DISEASES.
The Special Centre for the Treatment of Venereal Diseases, which, in accordance with
the powers under the Public Health (Venereal Diseases) Regulations, 1916, the City Corporation
established at 20/21, Golden Lane—previously occupied as a shelter, and specially
altered to meet the requirements—was transferred to St. Bartholomew's Hospital on the
17th February, 1930.
This step was deemed expedient for economic and other reasons, and it is satisfactory
to note that the number of persons availing themselves of the opportunity afforded has,
since that date, shown marked increase, the total number of new cases in the year being
1,075, as compared with 498 during 1929, the last complete year of working at 20/21, Golden
Lane.
The following is a brief summary of the work carried out during 1931:—
At the beginning of the year 510 males and 186 females were registered on the books
as being under treatment or observation, which compares with 417 males and 123 females
at the beginning of the previous year. Of these patients, 335 males and 166 females were
under treatment for syphilis, and 175 males and 20 females for gonorrhoea. No patients
were under treatment for conditions other than venereal disease.
New patients admitted totalled 1,075, as compared with 1,073 in the previous year,
but the total attendances increased from 20,694 in 1930 to 26,378 in 1931, a very satisfactory
feature. Unfortunately, 282 cases discharged themselves before completion of treatment,
and 65, although completing treatment, failed to submit themselves to final test.
Twenty-one males and 2 females were transferred to other centres after treatment,
whilst 1 female was discharged after completion of treatment and observation.
There were 24 in-patients.
The total number of attendances is made up as follows :—
Syphilis. Soft Chancre. Gonorrhoea. •Non-Venereal Conditions. Total Attendances.
Male. Female. Male. Female. Male. Female. Male. Female. Male. Female.
10,976 4,950 — — 9,901 551 300 92 20,877 5,501
In the laboratories associated with the Centre, 8,555 specimens were examined, 52
for the detection of spirochetes, 1,089 for gonococci, 7,238 examinations for the Wassermann
or Sigma test, and 176 for 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
• These figures are included in Syphilis and Gonorrhoea totals.
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