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Such patients received a total of 1,885 visits during the year
for the purpose of home-nursing.
(f) Supervision of Home Conditions.
The health visitor for the district visits on receipt of notification
of a case—except where the medical practitioner notifying has
requested that no visit be paid—and obtains particulars as to the
patient, the home circumstances, possible sources of infection, and
the names of any other residents, indicating in particular those
with symptoms suggestive of the disease. The patient is then in
suitable cases seen at the dispensary, and steps are taken by the
Tuberculosis Officer to examine or to encourage the examination
of the contacts showing suspicious symptoms.
At intervals not exceeding three months—and in special
cases at shorter intervals—the report card is automatically returned
to the health visitor for a re-visit, at which the health of patients
and contacts is ascertained, and advice given where required on
measures aimed at the prevention of infection of the remainder of
the household. 472 first visits, 795 unsuccessful visits with
failure to obtain entry, 253 special visits, and 2,325 subsequent
visits were paid bv the health visitors; a total of 3,845 visits, as
against 4,666 in 1924 and 2,313 in 1923.
In addition to the supervision exercised by health visitors, 289
visits were paid to the homes by the Tuberculosis Officer during
the year, as compared with 349 in 1924.
(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.
239 patients were kept under observation pending definite
diagnosis; 147 of these were adults and 92 children.
(b) Examination of Sputum.
473 specimens of sputum were tent in by private practitioners
and 637 from the dispensary for examination at the Borough
Hospital Labaratory.