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Notifications.—Table 6 (p. 12) 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, 1946, on the
register was 677, 25 more than at the end of the previous year.
Dispensary.—The work of the Dispensary continued to increase generally. Statistics for 1946 : new patients, 783
(including 141 contacts), old cases, 477; attendances, 5,924; tuberculosis officer called into consultation on 625
occasions; home visits by tuberculosis officer—new 31, old 62; hospital visits by tuberculosis officer, 50; home
visits by tuberculosis visitors—first visits 125, re-visits 697.
During the year 2,578 examinations (films, 1,238; screening only, 1,340) were made by means of the Council's X-ray
plant. Fifty-six patients received artificial pneumothorax treatment on the premises and 931 refills were given.
Sputum examinations carried out in the dispensary numbered 411.
Expenditure on milk supplied to 101 tubereulous persons for varying periods amounted to £653 8s. 3d.
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 125.
Dental Treatment.—A scheme for the provision of dental treatment for tuberculous persons, submitted for the
approval of the London County Council in 1940 but deferred until after the war, was brought into operation on the
1st April, 1946, and arrangements were made for patients to be seen by the Borough Council's Dental Surgeon by
special appointment. During the remainder of the year only one adult and one child received treatment under the
scheme.
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.
Daring the year, 39 patients applied for assistance and in 38 cases financial aid, totalling £2,043 18s. 6d., was afforded.
Government Rehabilitation Scheme.—Nineteen patients were referred under this scheme to the Local Office
of the Ministry of Labour and National Service.
Care Committee.—The Committee held 10 meetings and dealt with 257 cases.
Disinfection.—During the year 556 rooms and 23,384 articles (including 423 books) were disinfected after infectious
diseases generally. In addition, 400 dressing drums from a local hospital were sterilised.
Bacteriological Examinations.—Table 9 shows the numbef of specimens examined for the purposes of diagnosis
and indicates also the organisms in relation to which the examinations were made.
TABLE 9.—Work of the Bacteriological Laboratory.