View report page

78
Artificial Pneumothorax Treatment: This treatment is almost invariably initiated
while the patient is in sanatorium or hospital and the refills are continued when the
patient returns home at one or other of the chest hospitals. A few cases who have
been under treatment in Colindale or Grove Park Hospitals continue to attend there
for refills after discharge. The total number of refills chargeable to the Dispensary
in 1937 was 177, of which 104 were carried out at the Royal Chest Hospital, 15 at
Colindale Hospital, 35 at the London Chest Hospital (Victoria Park), and 23 at Grove
Park Hospital. The charge per refill is 10s. 6d. which includes any necessary X-ray
examinations made for the control of the treatment.
Finsen Light Treatment: Cases of lupus are usually referred to the London
Hospital Skin Department for treatment. Most of them are treated by Finsen Light,
occasionally supplemented by general arc-light. Of the three cases mentioned in
last year's report, two are still under treatment and progressing favourably and the
third has removed to another district. Three new cases have been referred to the
Hospital during the year. Two of these are receiving light treatment and the third
general treatment without any form of light owing to occasional attacks of epilepsy.
The total number of attendances for Finsen Light which were chargeable to the
Dispensary during 1937 was 101 and for general arc-light in lupus cases 82. The charge
per attendance for Finsen Light is 5s. and for general arc-light 1s.
Ear, Nose and Throat Cases : Eight cases were referred for an opinion to Mr. A. M.
Zamora, F.R.C.S., Consulting Laryngologist to the Royal Chest Hospital. Apart
from the primary examination, some of these cases are kept under supervision with
regard to their throat condition by Mr. Zamora, whose advice and assistance continue
to be much valued.
Dental Treatment: Patients are referred to the Shoreditch Borough Council's
Dental Hospital unless they prefer to make arrangements for treatment privately.
In the case of tuberculous patients or other members of the patient's family, the
assessment for payment is made by the Tuberculosis Care Committee subject to
approval by the Public Health Committee. A large proportion necessarily receives
treatment free.
Diseases of the Eye are rarely met with at the Dispensary as they usually go in the
first instance to an Eye Hospital. If they first come under notice at the Dispensary
they are usually referred to the Royal London Ophthalmic Hospital.
Surgical Cases requiring the opinion or supervision of a surgeon are referred to
one of the general hospitals, usually St. Bartholomew's, the London, or the Metropolitan,
or to the Queen's Hospital for Children. After-care in surgical cases is
supervised by the surgeon who originally recommended sanatorium treatment or
by one of the County Council's After-Care Clinics, but the patient is also seen from
time to time at the Dispensary. In rare cases, supplementary treatment in the way of