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child contacts in order to minimise the risk of infection, until suitable steps have been
taken to improve the home conditions. Such arrangements are made, free of charge
to the family, by the County Council, who will also arrange for the care of children
if the mother has to go away to sanatorium and there are no relatives in a position to
look after them.
Convalescence for non-tuberculous but ailing children is usually arranged through
the Invalid Children's Aid Association. Nursing for bed-ridden patients is provided
by the Shoreditch and Bethnal Green Nursing Association, the borough council paying
1s. 4d. a visit.
Cases of social, economic, or domestic difficulty are referred to the tuberculosis
care committee (appointed by the borough council). Assistance in the way of extra
nourishment and the provision of separate beds or of garden shelters is given to a
number of patients on the recommendation of the tuberculosis officer, the cost being
met by the borough council. During the year, 132 patients received extra nourishment
and 57 were receiving these extras on 31st December, 1938. Patients receiving
relief from the public assistance committee are recommended to that body for extra
nourishment, which is usually granted on the certificate of the tuberculosis officer.
Similarly patients dependent upon the Unemployment Assistance Board are referred
to the board, but I regret to say that frequently in these cases the full amount
recommended has not been granted.
The number of shelters (lent by the borough council) in use during the year
was 2, and the number of patients to whom beds and/or bedding were on loan was 26.
Prophit Trust Research Scheme.—Under this scheme special investigation into
the incidence of tuberculosis in contacts between the ages of 15 and 25 has been
continued during the past year. Shoreditch contacts belonging to this age-group are
examined by Dr. Ridehalgh, the research scholar appointed by the Royal College of
Physicians under the auspices of the trust, and a special evening session is held for
this purpose approximately every six weeks. The investigation includes radiological
and tuberculin tests and the cost is borne by the Prophit Trust.
A few comparative figures relating to the work of the dispensary for the years
1937 and 1938 are given below :—

*ln addition 35 visits were made by the tuberculosis officer to St. Leonard's Hospital.