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in connection with philanthropic work, viz. : The Invalid Children's Aid Association,
Charity Organisation Society and Portland Town Association, branch of the
former, The Board of Guardians, The United Services (especially for the Ex-Service
men and their families), members of the Borough Council and Public Health
Department, The District Nursing Association, Jewish Board of Guardians,
School Care Committee, and the London County Council.
" The Committee meets regularly every fortnight in order to deal with cases
brought up for their consideration as to the best means to be followed for the
benefit of the family afflicted, also to assess payment according to means, each
case being dealt with on its merits. During the last year the Committee has
dealt with 249 cases.
" During the five years, after much work and delving into past history,
it has been found that 349 individuals have received Sanatorium treatment, some
of whom have been away more than once. Out of this 349, 128 are now working,
73 not working but getting about, 42 transferred to other districts, 2 could not
be traced and 104 have died. Out of the larger figures 29.8 per cent, deaths
and 36.6 per cent. working. One ventures to predict that during the next quinquenium
the percentage of those working will be increased, and the deaths
reduced, chiefly because the methods for early diagnosis are so much better.
The Dispensary is affiliated to the Middlesex Hospital, and advantage is being
taken of the X-Ray Department in doubtful cases. The X-Ray examination
being a great help in confirming or disputing the clinical evidence gained by
percussion and auscultation. Examination of sputum is carried out at the Dispensary.
A positive sputum decides the issue, but a negative one frequently
leaves a doubt even after three or four specimens have been examined. The
Dental and Throat Department of Middlesex Hospital are made use of—the first
for the cleaning of the mouth prior to the patient going away, the second for the
examination of doubtful throats. Surgical cases are also referred to the Hospital.
" The Dispensary is open daily from 9.30 a.m. to 5 p.m., except Saturdays,
9.30 to 1; an evening clinic being held each Thursday for those patients who are
working and cannot attend at any other time.
" The Open Air School, run entirely on voluntary subscriptions, attached
to the Dispensary still carries on and, although the numbers are not so large as
formerly, about 26 children daily meet at the Bandstand in Regent's Park for
lessons, fresh air, and exercise. These children bring with them sufficient food
for the middle day and have their bigger meal when they get home in the evening.
The midday dinner has always been a stumbling block to the parents, and it is
often on account of this they refuse to allow their children to attend the school.
Various eating-houses have been approached with the idea of having a good
" Hot Pot " sent up to the Bandstand for the children, but no shop would do
it under sixpence a head per diem. The parents mostly refuse to pay this and
the project had to be dropped. It makes one wonder what the child's dinner
really does cost the parents if 2/6 for five days is too much. However, with the
existing arrangement they do very well and gain weight. It says a great deal
for the children and their teacher that they go to the bandstand in almost any
weather.
" A scheme for the boarding-out of children while mother or father is undergoing
treatment at a Sanatorium has met with a certain amount of success, but
it is frequently the case that parents do not wish them to be removed, and on
this account the scheme has not been so successful here as it has been in France,
where it is more or less forcibly carried out, inasmuch as there they take the
children away from the consumptive home and place them in the country.
" The latest adjunct to treatment is the ultra-violet rays, and arrangements
are being made with certain hospitals for the carrying out of the process in suitable
cases. Up to date one is unable to give any idea of its efficiency as regards
Pulmonary Tuberculosis.