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Dispensary.—The work of the Dispensary showed a marked increase in a number of directions during the year.
General medical practitioners, influenced probably by the publicity given to the prevalence of tuberculosis, made
greater use of the Council's facilities as revealed by the fact that the Tuberculosis Officer was called into consultation
on 455 occasions as against 296 in the previous year. Other statistics for 1943 : new cases 636 (including 148 contacts),
old cases, 325 ; attendances 4,127 ; home visits by tuberculosis officer—new 46, old 88 ; hospital visits by tuberculosis
officer, 65 ; home visits by tuberculosis visitors—first visits 172., re-visits 1,502.
During the year 1,414 examinations (films, 770 ; screening only, 644) were made by means of the Council's X-ray
plant. Thirty-one patients received artificial pneumothorax treatment on the premises and 387 refills were given.
Sputum examinations carried out in the dispensary numbered 351.
Expenditure on milk supplied to tuberculous persons amounted to £307 12s. 8d. ; 479 orders were issued.
In addition to the Council's Tuberculosis Dispensary, forming part of the Town Hall Extension, there is situated in
the Borough the Margaret Street Hospital for Diseases of the Chest, No. 26, Margaret Street, Cavendish Square, W.l,
which is maintained by a voluntary organisation and possesses facilities for the treatment of tuberculosis.
Institutional Treatment.—Admissions to hospital or sanatorium during the year numbered 183.
Maintenance Allowances.—The new scheme of maintenance allowances, etc., for tuberculous persons and their
dependents, prescribed by Ministry of Health Memorandum 266/T, was inaugurated in the Council's Dispensary on
the 22nd June, 1943. During the last six months of the year, 64 patients applied for assistance and in 54 cases financial
aid, totalling £1,055 2s. 5d., was afforded. There is little doubt that the scheme is attaining its object of encouraging
patients to secure early treatment and to stay in sanatorium until maximum benefit has been obtained. In five cases
it is csrtain that without an allowance the patients would have refused sanatorium treatment on account of financial
obligations in the home.
Government Rehabilitation Scheme.—Ten patients were referred for training under this scheme.
Care Committee.—The Committee held 11 meetings and dealt with 326 cases.
Disinfection.—During the year 598 rooms and 27,352 articles (including 301 books) were disinfected after infectious
diseases generally.
Bacteriological Examinations.—Table 10 shows the number of specimens examined for the purposes of diagnosis
and indicates also the organisms in relation to which the examinations were made.