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Prevention of Tuberculosis.—In connection with preventive work in respect
of tuberculosis, the Dispensary, which has now been part of the borough tuberculosis
scheme since April, 1921, continued to prove most valuable, the members
of the staff rendering excellent service.

The Tuberculosis Care Committee continued to meet fortnightly throughout
the year, Dr. Saner, Miss Baker and Sister Bartleet (later Miss Kenion) attending
and assisting in every way possible. The representatives of the Council on this
Committee were: Councillor Hugh Jones, Councillor Dr. C. A. Fuller, and Councillor
Miss J.M.A. Hamilton.
The Open Air School in Regent's Park, which was established in 1911, continued
its useful work during the year. The number of children on the roll was
28—19 boys and 9 girls—and the attendances numbered 7,285. Dr. Saner, who
has been Medical Officer of the School since he took office at the Dispensary,
continued to act in this capacity.
The following extracts from a report by the Tuberculosis Officer (Dr. Saner)
contain reference to a number of points that may be of interest:—
"The figures for the year show an increase in the number of new cases
examined at the Dispensary, details of such examinations are set forth in the
tables. A figure which does not so appear is one indicating the number of
examinations carried out in the case of other than new patients. Such examinations
numbered 500. It is pleasing to find that more people are presenting themselves
either on their Own initiative or on advice of their doctor or on recommendation
of another patient who has already attended. This gives the
Dispensary a greater opportunity of weeding out the really sick from the healthy
and of bringing those in need under treatment at an earlier stage of the disease.
Special attention is being paid to "contacts," i.e., those persons who have been
in contact with an infectious case.
"The X-Ray department of the Middlesex Hospital is proving most useful for
verifying a doubtful case, and although it may involve expenditure it is money
well spent. In all 25 patients have been radiographed during the year with the
best results.
"The Sunlight Department of the same hospital has been taken advantage of
in a few cases of debilitated children in what is usually known as the "pretubercular
stage.'' The results here have been fairly satisfactory but improvement
has not been so rapid as was expected and wished. The efficacy of the
treatment is still under discussion and perhaps it is too early to form a definite
opinion.
"During the year the Care Committee have had 222 cases brought before
them, 90 of which have been sent to or returned after sanatorium treatment.
Eleven children have been away through the Invalid Children's Aid Association
and the Charity Organisation Society. Twenty-eight of the Ex-Service men and
their families have been added to Miss BOwen's already long list."
Bacteriological Diagnosis of Consumption.—The number of specimens of
expectoration sent by medical men for bacteriological examination, from cases in
which there was some doubt as to the diagnosis, was 712, as against 730 in 1926.
Of these, 105 were found to contain the bacillus of consumption, while the
remainder were free.
Non-Pulmonary Tuberculosis—The great bulk of the total notifications—35
as against 30 in 1926—in the case of this form of tuberculosis came from institutions
where the patients were undergoing treatment. Visits were paid to the
homes and, where necessary, advice with regard to the obtaining of treatment was
offered.