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128
Due to increasing income from strenuous voluntary efforts the Association
was able to assist many patients who would have been beyond its financial
scope previously. But it is not by financial assistance only that the Association
helps patients, and wives or relatives appreciate that this is an organisation
which exists for the specific purpose of dealing with their problems.
It is regrettable, however, that two of the main causes of anxiety to
tuberculosis patients and to those concerned with their welfare are the same
now as they were four years ago, when I was appointed Secretary of the
Association
(i) Overcrowding and poor housing.
(ii) Re-employment when fit.
Unfortunately the Association is powerless to assist patients in obtaining
suitable and sufficient housing accommodation, and can only appeal to
Housing Authorities as it has done to give urgent consideration to this vital
social and health problem.
Overcrowding can foster the spread of tuberculosis, and until adequate
accommodation is available for infectious patients to be effectively isolated
at home, the risk of contacts developing the disease is gready increased. In
many infectious cases shared homes continue to be an economic necessity until
such time as the local authority can undertake the re-housing of these cases.
Often the patient returning from the ideal environment of a sanatorium
to overcrowded conditions at home suffers a psychological set-back which is
in no way conducive to his convalescence and recovery, and this can be a
contributory cause of a fresh break-down in health.
The re-employment of patients, once they are fit to resume work, is a
problem which arises frequently and requires an increasing measure of goodwill
and commonsense from employers and fellow workmen.
Due to fear or ignorance some ex-tuberculous patients are still shunned
by their employers and ostracised by the people with whom they formerly
worked. It cannot be emphasised too strongly that working with a patient
passed fit by a chest physician constitutes no greater danger to one's health
than travelling in an overcrowded train.
The Association is fortunate in having as honorary medical advisers the
chest physicians of both areas (Dr. J. A. F. Swoboda and Dr. H. Duff Palmer),
with whom close liaison is maintained and from whom valuable support is
received.
During the year additional assistance for patients has been enlisted from
the British Legion, the Women's Voluntary Services, the R.L. Glasspool
Trust and the St. John and British Red Cross Library Department, with
whom the Association works in close co-operation. The National Assistance
Board has also dealt most sympathetically with cases referred to them by the
Association.
The Essex County Council continue to finance Care Associations in the
County, and approximately £600 is received from this source annually in the
form of grants. The Association has raised as much again by voluntary
efforts, and must continue to increase the amount of funds raised each year
in order to maintain assistance to patients at the present level.