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Hospital accommodation was found for 179 cases. In a considerable number
of cases, particularly those occurring amongst occupants of the more expensive flats
and such institutions as Clubs and Hostels, it was impossible to find accommodation
and many complaints were received as to the difficulty of properly guarding against
spread of infection.
The number of notifications received from parents and guardians was 35. In
one case proceedings were instituted against a woman for failing to notify that her
child was suffering. The magistrate severely censured the defendant and bound her
over in a sum of £5. The patient died, but might have been saved if an opportunity
had been given to visit and arrange for proper nursing and treatment.
Whooping Cough.—This disease was apparently less prevalent than in 1916.
The deaths registered as due to it numbered 9 as against 21 in the previous year.
Tuberculosis.—In all, 435 cases were notified, 392 being pulmonary cases, the
remainder of the notifications (43) relating to cases in which structures other than the
lungs were affected.
The table given on page 8, contains the information required by the Local
Government Board with regard to notifications. Notifications made on Form B.
relate to school children. The number it will be noted was 18 as against 43 in
1916.
Of the 43 cases in which parts other than the lungs were affected, in 8 the
infection was limited to the glands of the neck: in 11 one of the joints, and in 3 the
spine was the part attacked.
Treatment of Tuberculosis.—Of the cases notified 92 received some form
of institutional treatment, and during the year every effort was made to obtain
admission to sanatoria of cases deemed suitable for such treatment. Of the
total cases notified, 95 were insured persons, and of these 37 applied for sanatorium
benefit, 2 dying before gaining admission to an institution.
Notifications relating to insured persons numbered 182, and of the patients, 67
applied for sanatorium benefit. Of these 66 were admitted, 1 died before gaining
admission, and 14 were admitted to the Infirmary, being advanced cases, or unsuitable
for sanatorium treatment.
Prevention of Consumption.—During the year all the official bodies concerned
definitely gave their consent to the Council's scheme and the system became well
established. Miss Baker gave the whole of her time to the work, and, despite the
fact that a number of institutions and bodies are involved, there was a complete
absence of friction.
During the year Miss Baker paid 1,671 visits to the homes of patients. In
addition she attended the consultations at Middlesex Hospital 101 times and those at
Margaret Street Hospital 83 times. Atlendances at Allsop Place were less frequent,
58 in all, for the reason that the tuberculosis nurse attached to the dispensary does
all that is required in the way of following up cases. The Tuberculosis Care
Committee met frequently throughout the year, and at this 56 attendances were
made.
The total number of patients examined at the various institutions under the
scheme was 414. Of these 160 were found to be suffering, and 119 were "suspected."
Patients found to be suffering from other forms of tuberculosis than the pulmonary,
numbered 23. The number of insured patients found to be suffering was 113 out of
223 examined. Of the new patients visited by Miss Baker, 188 were insured and 208