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38
AFTER-CARE;
Tuberculosis in the great majority of cases is a curable
disease provided the patient is seen at a sufficiently early stage of
the malady, undergoes sanatorium treatment and subsequently
passes his life under reasonably hygienic conditioi s.
It is with regard to the latter that the activities of the AfterCare
Association in this district particularly exist consisting
inter alia, in providing special splints, clothing, boots, nourishment,
etc., for necessitous cases and in obtaining if possible
suitable homes and employment for the tuberculous. During the
year 12 cases were so assisted. Apart from a grant of £20
from the County Council, the funds of the Association are practically
dependent upon voluntary contribution.
Equally important in the matter of after-care is that of dealing
with the large number of advanced cases who are, in tin
majority of instances, in a highly-infectious condition, and not
infrequently living under overcrowded home conditions. For these
at the moment practically no remedy exists except, perhaps, that
of the workhouse. The strongest opposition (and perhaps quite
naturally so) is generally offered by such cases and their relatives
against such a course, many of the latter of whom in turn become
infected with the disease. The necessity for some form of local
remedy is evident, and might be provided by arrangement with
the County Council of Essex with the concurrence of the Ministry
of Health, whereby the Urban District of Barking might set
apart a number of beds at the local infectious hospital for the
detention of these cases, and the suggestion, if adopted would.
my opinion, prove a distinct financial saving for the communit.
At the request of the medical practitioners of the district,
compulsory disinfection of all homes after death from tuberculosis
was adopted by the Council during the year, under Section
Prevention of Infectious Diseases Act, 1890.