View report page

45
Special Powers of Councils.—The Council “may supply all such medical or
other assistance, and all such facilities and articles as may reasonably be required
for the detection of Pulmonary Tuberculosis, and for preventing the spread of infection,
and for removing conditions favourable to infection, and for that purpose
may appoint such officers, do such acts and make such arrangements as may be
necessary.”
The Council may provide and distribute in the form of placards, handbills or
leaflets suitable summaries of information and instruction respjcting Pulmonary
Tuberculosis, and the precaution to be taken against the spread of infection from
the disease.
Nothing in these Regulations shall have effect so as to apply any enactment
which renders the patient, or a person in charge of the patient, or any other person
liable to a penalty, or subject the patient to any restriction, prohibition, or disability
affecting himself, or his employment, occupation or means of livelihood on the ground
of his suffering from Pulmonary Tuberculosis.
Treatment of Consumption.
On May 15th, 1911, a Dispensary for the Prevention of Consumption was opened
at 4, Arbour Square.
In view of the large population of the Borough of Stepney, it was considered
inadvisable to endeavour to cover the whole area from one Dispensary. The
Stepney Dispensary therefore receives patients only from the eastern part of the
Borough, bounded on the west by Jubilee Street and Sutton Street.
Objects of the Dispensary.—The aim of a Tuberculosis Dispensary is to be a
co-ordinating and central unit in a complete scheme for the prevention, treatment,
and isolation of Tuberculosis. The scheme includes all the known means of prevention
and treatment which we have at our disposal.
It is the first line of attack, in that it approaches the disease in the homes of
the poor.
It is a selecting and distributing centre. Suitable cases are sent to Sanatoria.
Advanced cases, when necessary, are drafted to the Infirmary or to Homes for the
Dying ; other patients are treated at home, either in shelters in their gardens, or in
their own rooms. Patients when considered suitable are treated with Tuberculin;
many patients who show some slight symptoms and signs of the disease are carefully
watched, and trained in the principles and application of aerotherapy, in order to
prevent the onset of progressive active disease in the future.