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183
No tuberculous person, able to work, should lead a life of
idleness. Occupation suited to their medical needs is far more
beneficial than any medicine known to medical science, but the
majority are not in a position to compete with healthy labour, and
in order to make their work self-sufficient some form of endowment
or protection is necessary. Sickness benefit under the National
Health Insurance Act could serve as a form of subsidy for tubercular
persons and, in those medically certified as fit to do work of some
kind, should be given conditionally on the patient endeavouring to
do suitable work. A modification on these lines would act as an
encouragement towards the formation of after-care occupation
schemes such as is being carried out, to a limited extent, in Croydon.
It is gradually becoming recognised that Sanatorium treatment
of Pulmonary Tuberculosis requires to be supplemented by other
methods of treatment. Eventually it will be probably necessary
to have a Surgeon who has specialised in thoracic surgery as a
Consultant on the staff of every sanatorium.
The Tuberculosis Clinic and Home Visiting.
Table LXV gives a summary of the work done in
connection'with the Clinic. 98 notified cases were examined for
the first time and 331 were, sent for an opinion. 464 contacts were
examined, of whom 15 were pronounced tubercular. This is an
important preventive measure, and it is regrettable that more time
cannot be given to the work. Patients attending the Clinic made
5,971 visits during the year. 240 were on Domiciliary treatment.
The Tuberculosis Officer paid 262 home visits, and the health
visitors or nurses 4,443 visits for Clinic purposes. In addition the
district health visitors made 330 primary visits for the purpose of the
Notification register. Patients requiring home nursing or surgical
dressings are attended to by nurses from the Croydon Nursing
Service, by arrangement with that organisation.
The number of contacts examined and the number of patients
visited in their homes by the Tuberculosis Officer shew a decided
decrease below those for 1931. This year shews a considerable
billing off in both these branches of the Clinic's activities owing
to the absence of any help from other members of the medical
staff in consequence of the reduction in the medical staff under the
economy measures it has been found necessary to introduce. As
mentioned previously contact examinations are held to be essentially
preventive and play an important role in any Tuberculosis scheme.