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7
all "Contacts" of a case of Tuberculosis to submit to a medical
examination is stressed. The number of such examinations is
increasing, but is still far too small.
Work at Cheam Sanatorium has continued on the same lines
as in former years. Owing to the erection of glass verandahs and
bed platforms, the number of cases admitted had to be curtailed
for a period of two months. This addition has proved very beneficial
to the patients who can now lie in bed in the open air in any
but the severest weather.
The erection of glass partitions between every two beds in
the wards has also conduced to greater privacy and has been appreciated.
Towards the end of the year a portion of the premises were
altered and adapted for the installation of an X-Ray plant, which
will be obtained early in 1931. This facility will enable the operation
of artificial pneumothorax to be performed. In suitable
subjects this little operation holds out the best prospects of permanent
arrest of the disease yet known to medical science, but in
order to select the proper types of cases and to control the action
of the method, the X-Ray is absolutely necessary.
The Occupation Centre was transferred during the year to a
new building erected in the sanatorium grounds especially for this
purpose. The new accommodation has been fully utilized and has
enabled a greater variety of work to be done under excellent conditions.
This occupational work is now firmly established and is
increasing steadily in volume.
It undoubtedly exerts a good psychological effect, and so
indirectly assists treatment. In fact, it may be said without
exaggeration, to be an important therapeutic agent. The expansion
of the home side of the work has continued; there are always
a number of patients discharged from the Sanatorium who continue
at home the art or craft they have learnt whilst in the
Sanatorium. All the home workers are kept under supervision
and visited from time to time by the instructress, who assists with
designs, helps with difficulties and sells the finished articles if the
worker so desires. Many of the workers have, however, found
their own market.
Venereal Diseases.— An increase in the number of new cases,
and especially in the number of attendances for treatment, is
recorded. The marked augmentation in the latter figure has been
brought about by the holding of an additional session. There are