View report page

46
The following extract from a report by the Tuberculosis Officer (Dr. Donaldson
Saner) contains reference to a number of points that may be of interest:—
"The statistics of the year will be found in the tables set forth on the special
forms issued by the Ministry of Health. These forms vary slightly from those
issued for the previous five years. The use of the word "cured" is done away
with and "recovered" substituted. The columns are divided so as to show those
patients who remain on the Dispensary Register on December 31st and those
patients who have been crossed off as having been transferred to other districts,
lost sight of through removal and no address left, and those who are deceased.
The Form for surgical cases is similarly split up.
During the year 173 cases have been sent for or returned from Sanatorium
treatment through the London County Council. 194 Progress reports have been
forwarded to the London County Council of those patients who have received
public treatment. Of those patients, 80 are now working at their original occupation;
1 at a new occupation; 6 were fit for work but unable to obtain employment;
7 doing light work; 69 failed to attend for reasons of their own, 25 of whom were
reported to be in good health and working full time, 2 marked as recovered,
2 getting about not fit for work, 1 as worse; 8 transferred to other districts ; 14 as
unfit and 4 deceased. These reports cover Pulmonary and Non-Pulmonary cases.
The Care Committee, meeting fortnightly throughout the year, had 324 cases
brought to their notice. Six children were recommended to the Invalid Children's
Aid Association direct, 6 adults referred to the Charity Organisation Society, 10
were dealt with by the Public Assistance Committee of the London County Council.
The School Care Committee with two children and 8 families came under the
London County Council Contact Scheme. Miss Bowen looked after the Ex-Service
men and families.
The X-ray department of the Middlesex Hospital has been used frequently for
diagnosis in doubtful cases and surgical cases sent there for diagnosis or preliminary
treatment. Some cases of children whose signs and symptoms point to a
rheumatic diathesis have been referred to the Western General Dispensary. The
clinics for minor ailments have also been used for cases which need attention and
for temporary skin complaints such as Impetigo,"
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 801, as against 776 in 1930.
Of these, 154 were found to contain the bacillus of consumption, while the
remainder were free.
Non-Pulmonary Tuberculosis.—Eleven of the total notifications—17 as against
20 in 1930—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.
Particulars as to the parts affected by the disease will be found in the table
on page 51.