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3. It would be desirable to keep entirely separate accounts for such
occupational work, although for the purpose of claiming grant, they would
be combined with the general costs of the institution.
4.—It is suggested that all articles made during thet official employment
hours (say, 9.30—12 and 2—4), when the patients would be undertaking the
occupation as a part of their treatment, would be the property of the institution;
but that patients would be allowed, under medical control, to make
articles for themselves in their spare time, other than the defined workhours,
and would for that purpose be allowed to purchase the raw materials
at the sanatorium at, say, 50 per cent, above the wholesale cost price to the
institution. The sum thus accruing to the institution by the sale of material
would go towards the payment for the instructor's salary. It may be added
that if the materials were bought by the patients through dealers they would
be charged, so 1 am informed, from 120 to 150 per cent. above the wholesale
rates. No cash payment would be made to patients; the latter would benefit
(a) by the interest created, (b) by the tuition which they receive in an
occupation which may later help them to add materially to the family income.
5.—A workshop will be needed, and can be provided in existing outbuildings
at trivial cost.
6.—The occupations suggested can readily be extended as desired, either
by the addition of new occupations (e.g., netting, machine knitting, leatherwork),
or by the introduction of other stages of the same occupation, e.g.,
the dyeing of raffia.
7.-—It would be necessary to establish suitable connections for the sale
of goods made both at the sanatorium and at the patients' homes. The
disinfection of articles before sale can readily be effected by formalin vapour.
8.—The work at the patients' homes or at a central workshop in the
town would grow out of the scheme as applied at the sanatorium.
9.—The present scheme deals with the more advanced case, little capable
of a full day's work. The early case does not need assistance so acutely,
as he is in a better position for continuing his ordinary occupation. There
is no reason, however, why the scheme should not grow to include other
specific occupations for those earlier cases who cannot continue in their
ordinary avocations. It must be remembered that these are treated in sanatoria
not under the Corporation's control, and the instruction and training
necessary woidd have to be provided at the home or at central workshops
in Croydon.
(2) After discharge from Cheam Sanatorium.
It is not practicable at this stage to formulate anv clear-cut scheme for
the continuance of these occupations after the patient's discharge from Cheam
Sanatorium, or for organising the sale of products, or for the establishment
of a central workshop. The scheme would require to grow naturally out of
the arrangements developed at Cheam. Broadly speaking, provision would
be necessary on the following lines: —
(a) Provision of equipment, such as hand-looms, raffia, cane, and
other materials on suitable terms to patients proposing to continue this
work at their homes.
(b) Provision of one or more central workshops at which patients
could, more conveniently than at home, do hand-loom work, or such
further occupations as may be developed, the question of a weekly charge
for the use of the workshop facilities, or other arrangement for covering
the cost of maintenance of the workshop, being a matter for consideration
when a more concrete scheme can be set out.