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26
The Kent County Council in 1913 established a
Dispensary in the district for the treatment of
Tuberculous patients, and a large majority of cases
notified attend there, as well as a number of patients
who are contacts with definite cases of Tuberculosis,
though they have not yet been definitely diagnosed as
suffering from the disease, and have not been notified.
During the War there appears to have been some
difficulty in giving Sanatorium Benefit, but the County
Council have now opened a Sanatorium at Lenham, and
it is hoped that this difficulty will be largely obviated
in future.
There is no doubt judging from the number of
notifications that there has been a considerable increase
in the number of persons suffering from this disease ;
the causes of this are not clear, but no doubt the strain
of the war period, and the shortage of food (especially
fats) have had a great influence, and in addition the
shortage of housing accommodation with its consequent
overcrowding is perhaps in a measure accoantable.
Small-pox.
There has not been a case of this disease in the
district for many years. No vaccination or re-vaccinations
have been performed by the Medical Officer of Health
under the Public Health (Small-pox) Regulations of
1917.
D.—Maternity and Child Welfare.
The Midwives Act is administered by the Kent
County Council. There are four Midwives practising in
the District.
The Council employ two Health Visitors who carry
out, under the supervision of your Medical Officer of
Health, the visiting of houses where births are notified
and for various other reasons ; they also assist in the
work at the Infant Welfare Centres and the Antenatal
Clinic.