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96
The parents of the children treated by X-Rays will be
required to sign a form giving consent to the treatment, and it
is suggested that payment shall be recovered in those cases where
parents can afford to contribute a share of the expense.
Tuberculosis.
Throughout the year cases which appear of a tuberculous
nature are kept under observation and re-examined at intervals.
Cases of tuberculous peritonitis are excluded and recommended
to their own doctor. One instance came under our observation
where it was difficult to induce the parents to consult a doctor
as they had preferred trying a patent cure for kidney disease in
adults. In the case of a child suffering from tuberculous disease
of the hip, arrangements were made for its reception into
Isleworth Infirmary.
In general malnutrition of a tuberculous origin the records
of the monthly weights of the children are kept and the children
are periodically examined by the S.M.O. Special enquiries are
made into the home circumstances of these children and free
dinners are provided in necessitous cases. The S.M.O. frequently
visits the dinner centres and ill-nourished children are subsequently
medically examined. One boy who was inspected in this way
was found to be suffering from early phthisis. With considerable
difficulty (as his application was somewhat late) this boy was
sent for a summer holiday to a gamekeeper's cottage in the
country through the kindness of the Central Aid Society. Unfortunately
this boy's complaints of a country life were so
numerous that he was sent back by the Society after two weeks,
though investigations among other boys at the same house
showed there was no just cause for dissatisfaction.
Suitable cases of phthisis discovered during medical inspection
are recommended for admission to Northwood Sanatorium where
the Council maintain two beds, and it is noteworthy thy that better
results are obtained from these patients as the disease is
discovered in the earliest stages before the individual has observed
symptoms which would lead to medical advice being obtained.