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They struggle on, despite the cough that rakes head and chest, and the
pain of occasional localised Pleurisy, until at last the weakness that is insuperable,
makes further resistance useless. The sufferer is then taken to an
hospital or infirmary, and perhaps for the first time, comes under medical
supervision.
The objection to the inclusion of public institutions is the risk of overlapping,
but in practice it has been found that those cases are very few.
Other Steps besides Disinfection.
These include the issue of leaflets of instructions and precautions
to the patient, and members of the family, as well as to dispensaries
and other public institutions, for distribution among appropriate
cases. This is done by four Boroughs, and is the most popular of all
measures. Others are the provision of fibre handkerchiefs, and pocket spittoons,
sold at cost price; the requisite disinfectants are given gratis.
In some Boroughs, the Medical Officer of Health visits the house and
ascertains the duration, and probable source of illness, the presence of any
other cases in the house, inspects the work-place, and gives generally, advice
orally. A sanitarv survey of the premises is made by an Inspector with a
view to detecting defects in drainage or construction. In three districts, further
periodical visitations are made to see that the instructions on the leaflet are
carried out as well as circumstances permit.
Most Authorities examine the sputum for Tubercle gratis on request.
Woolwich retains two beds in a country sanatorium, and gives treatment
therein to selected cases, each for a period of three months.
C o-operation of Voluntary Societies.
This is at present very meagre, and confined to the Charity Organisation
Society, the Almoners of Local Institutions, and Jewish Board of Guardians
During the year 46 premises in our District were disinfected at the request
of the Jewish Board of Guardians.
Further Remarks.
Finsbury complains that the chief difficulty is the lack of early cases, the
cases notified are those of patients far on in the disease, and often moribund.
In Stoke Newington the Medical Officer of Health endeavours to get
patients removed to hospital or sanatorium.
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