View report page

31
quent visits were paid by (he health visitors then concerned—a
total of 4,666 visits, as against 2,313 in 1923 and 2,002 in 1922.
The effect of the adjustment of the duties of health visitors in
relation to the tuberculosis visiting is clearly reflected in the expansion
of the work indicated by these figures.
In addition to the supervision exercised by health visitors, 349
visits were paid to the homes by the Tuberculosis Officer during
the year, as compared with 169 in 1923.
(g) Issue and Supervision of Shelters.
16 shelters are in regular use in various parts of the town by
patients who have been educated in their use while at a sanatorium,
and whose home conditions are such that additional accommodation
is needed to prevent risk of infection to others in the household.
4.—DIAGNOSIS OF TUBERCULOSIS.
(a) General Routine.
461 patients were kept under observation pending definite
diagnosis; 199 of these were adults and 262 children. The large
number of children kept under supervision over prolonged periods
on account of indefinite symptoms was found to be hindering the
work of the dispensary in other directions. As these children,
after preliminary observation at the dispensary, can in many instances
be effectively supervised by the school medical staff at
school, arrangements to that end were made early in 1925, and
these are likely to be of material assistance in developing the work
of the dispensary.
(b) Examination of Sputum.
483 specimens of sputum were sent in by private practitioners
and 587 from the dispensary for examination at the Borough Hospital
Laboratory.
(c) X-ray Examination.
Patients needing X-ray examination as an aid towards diagnosis
are referred by the Tuberculosis Officer to the X-rav department
at the Croydon General Hospital.
37 patients were referred for such examination during 1924, as
compared with 55 in 1923.