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146
Of the cases whose records are at the Clinic, it will be seen
that of the total number that received sanatorium treatment
during the past five years only 37.3% are working or fit for work.
The remainder are dead or too ill to work. In those oases with a
positive sputum, i.e., those in whom tubercle bacilli have been
found in the sputum, only 25.6% or just over a quarter are working
or fit for work.
656, or 78.2% of the total cases discharged, were T.B.+ cases;
125, or 14.9% of the total cases discharged, have removed from
the Borough, and as we have no information about their condition
at the end of 1933 they have been ignored in working out the above
percentages.
From consideration of the above Table and similar reports that
have been obtained in previous years, it would appear that the
time is not far distant when it might be advisable for another Royal
Commission to be held, to assess the value of present Tuberculosis
schemes and also to consider whether any alterations could be made
which would lead to greater success.
Tuberculosis Care Committee Report.
During the year 1933 more use than formerly was made of the
facilities afforded by the Tuberculosis Care Committee. Assistance
and advice are particularly valuable at early stages of disability, for
not only is the patient suffering from the shock of finding himself
Tubercular but he has to grapple with a collection of difficult and
unfamiliar problems at a time when he is mentally and physically
upset. There are domestic problems, such as keeping the home
together and the disposal of children when the patient is away;
financial problems, such as the continuance of building society
instalments and insurance premiums, and the like. Some require
direct financial assistance, but there are a number of difficulties
soluble by the patients themselves if they only knew the right
course of action. It is surprising how ignorant many people are in
these matters. Even when patients have been put into touch with
the proper quarters, there may be gaps to be tided over and arrears
to be made up. There are many opportunities for helping patients
at this stage by sympathetic advice and assistance, and if is satisfactory
to note how knowledge of the Committee's work is filtering
through the Borough. As a tangible result of their efforts, 974
interviews involving advice and assistance took place during the
year, and 80 families were helped financially. Financial inquiries
numbered over 175, and £300 was disbursed.