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29
MASS RADIOGRAPHY.
I am also indebted to the Medical Director of the Surrey Area
of the South-West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board Mass
Radiography Unit for the following particulars of persons
examined and of abnormalities found:—
No. of Persons examined. ActivePulmonary Tuberculosis. Inactive Pulmonary Tuberculous Non-Tuberculosis Conditions.
Croydon district 11,485 43 316 325
Thornton Heath and 3,601 11 139 125
Waddon Factory
Groups.
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY.
1950 was the first full year of the Occupational Therapy
Scheme for tuberculosis patients, who are at home, but unfit for
work. The classes are still held weekly at the Chest Clinic on a
Friday afternoon under the supervision of a trained occupational
therapist.
Although the class attendances are small, the scheme helps
a larger number of patients than the weekly register suggests.
Many patients are skilled in handicrafts which they have learned
in Sanatorium and need very little instruction, and merely attend
for advice on minor difficulties they encounter, and to buy
materials. There is a nucleus of regular attenders, mostly patients
with long-standing disease, who are otherwise housebound, and
to whom the opportunity of meeting others on the basis of a
common interest, is the weekly highlight of an otherwise very
restricted existence. Basket-making, foot-stools, lampshademaking
and weaving still remain the favourite crafts.
There is the constant problem of disposing of the goods over
and above those which the patient makes for his own or his
friends' use. In this direction, the biggest development has been
through the Ministry of Pensions Home Industries' Scheme. The
Ministry, in conjunction with the W.Y.S., will undertake to
collect the work of ex-Service pensioners and exhibit it in workshops
for the disabled, exhibitions and W.Y.S. shops who undertake
to sell the goods and to obtain orders. This is a great
encouragement to the patients, and also brings them in a little
pocket-money, which is all ihe more acceptable for having been
earned by their own efforts.