Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Croydon]
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110
There were 6 observation cases sent in: 3 males and 3 females.
Of the 3 males 3 were not tubercular, and of the 3 females 1 was
not tubercular; therefore, there were 4 observations in nontuberculars
which are shown above. The 2 that were tubercular
are in with the tubercular cases and are not shown as observation.
Artificial Pneumothorax cases discharged but still under treatment,
12 males, 12 females (see above), making total discharges:
males 80, females 72.
These 24 Artificial Pneumothorax cases only refer to cases
discharged in 1935; those discharged in 1934 and still having refills
have not been included.
DENTAL REPORT.
All the patients admitted to the Sanatorium were dentally
inspected. Those in the acute wards were treated only when in
pain, but patients in the ordinary wards were referred for all
necessary treatment. Only those in the acute stages of Tuberculosis
were treated in the wards; the other patients attended the
special dental surgery in the Sanatorium. Patients were treated
only if, in the opinion of the Resident Medical Superintendent,
they were sufficiently fit.
As the patients to be treated are not, on the whole, very fit,
the amount of work undertaken for each patient was made dependent
on the patient's general condition. The number of teeth
extracted at each visit was never more than three, and in very
septic conditions only one tooth was removed at a time. All
extractions, and also many cases of conservative treatment, were
done under local anaesthesia. The aim of the scheme is to render
as many patients as possible dentally fit before they leave the
Sanatorium. The patient's period of stay in the Sanatorium is an
ideal time for dental treatment, because there is ample opportunity
for rest before and after treatment. A good set of teeth is also of
importance in the treatment of Pulmonary Tuberculosis, which,
especially in the more advanced stages, is largely a matter of rest
and digestion.