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20.
Small these figures may seen, and no doubt from the character of some
of the lesions a subsequent examination will probably give a positive result,
the fact is that at least 150 persons every day are expectorating live
virulent bacilli in the square mile of the City of London. About eleven per
cent of the working population were examined in the twelve months, from
which these figures have been deduced.
These undetected people are habitually travelling in crowded trains and
buses, eating in congested restaurants, perhaps working in overcrowded
offices, and the sufferer, his family, and the general public are not aware
of the peril to which they are subjected.
I am indebted to the Secretary, Miss E.B, Guest, for the following
report of
SHOREDITCH TUBERCULOSIS CARE COMMITTEE.
Report of Care Work for the year ended
31st December, 1953.
"During 1953 the work of the Shoreditch Tuberculosis Care Committee
continued along familiar lines and the Care Fund, which was as usual obtained
mostly through the Christmas Seal Sale, was used to provide extra necessities
unobtainable through other channels.
£283. nett was added to the fund through this medium In addition,
the United Charities of St.Leonard gave £17.10.0., and £20. came from the
London County Council Sunday Cinema Entertainments Fund,
Now that the Chest Clinic is housed in more attractive premises, the
Handicraft Class has been revived and an average of thirteen patients meet
at the Clinic on Wednesday afternoons to make leather goods, lampshades,etc.,
and to do weaving and embroidery and learn all sorts of other interesting
crafts. The London County Council pays the fees of an Occupational Therapist
and the tools and materials are provided through the Tuberculosis Care Fund.
Tea and biscuits also are given and a very happy and useful afternoon is
spen to Patients are enabled, if they so desire, to buy the articles they
make at cost price, paying by instalments, or, if the goods are taken into
stock and subsequently sold elsewhere, the maker is paid for the work done,
The patients' interests appear to be very varied and everyone seems to be
able to do the kind of work in which they are most interested. At Christmas
time a party was given to the members of the class, at which the Mayor of
Shoreditch and the Chairman of the Tuberculosis Care Committee were present,
We hope that more patients will join the class as time goes on.
Another special inroad into the fund was made in 1053 when it was found
that certain patients who were in receipt of National Assistance could not
continue to receive from the London County Council two pints of milk daily,
free, and 1 lb. Horlicks or other patent food per month, as heretofore, as it