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Notifications.—Table 6 (p. 9) gives information regarding notifications of pulmonary and non-pulmonary tuberculosis
received during the year. The total number of cases of tuberculosis remaining at the 31st December, 1944, on the
register was 608, 26 more than at the end of the previous year.
Dispensary.—The work of the Dispensary continued to increase generally. Statistics for 1944: new cases 645
(including 102 contacts), old cases, 402; attendances, 5,209; tuberculosis officer called into consultation on 543
occasions; home visits by tuberculosis officer—new 58, old 83; hospital visits by tuberculosis officer, 50; home
visits by tuberculosis visitors—first visits 138, re-visits 1,234.
During the year 1,915 examinations (films, 958; screening only, 957) were made by means of the Council's X-ray
plant. Forty patients received artificial pneumothorax treatment on the premises and 638 refills were given. Sputum
examinations carried out in the dispensary numbered 334.
Expenditure on milk supplied to tuberculous persons amounted to £441 14s. Od.; 615 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 142.
Maintenance Allowances.—The scheme of maintenance allowances, etc., for tuberculous persons and their dependents,
prescribed by Ministry of Health Memorandum 266/T, continued to operate smoothly and to attain its object
of encouraging patients to secure early treatment and to stay in sanatorium until maximum benefit has been obtained.
During the year, 61 patients applied for assistance and in 56 cases financial aid, totalling £1,856 4s. 8d., was afforded.
Government Rehabilitation Scheme.—Twenty-two patients were referred for training under this scheme.
Miniature Mass Radiography.—During its first year of operation, 1,150 factory and office workers were sent from
the Borough to the mass radiography unit of the London County Council while it was stationed at St. Margaret's
(L.C.C.) Hospital, Kentish Town. Transport was provided for those attending for examination. The unit was also
visited by the Tuberculosis Officer and members of the local Tuberculosis Care Committee. From the whole of London
45,682 persons were examined, and as a result, 335 (0.73 per cent.) were referred for further investigation, and of these,
112 (0.24 per cent.) were advised to enter hospital or sanatorium.
Care Committee.—-The Committee held 11 meetings and dealt with 307 cases.
Disinfection.—During the year 631 rooms and 25,944 articles (including 204 books) were disinfected after infectious
diseases generally.
Bacteriological Examinations.—Table 9 shows the number of specimens examined for the purposes of diagnosis
and indicates also the organisms in relation to which the examinations were made.