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Treatment. Treatment at the Dispensary, as distinct from
•diagnosis, consultation, and general supervision, has been on
a smaller scale than in previous years. This is in accordance
with Circular 149 issued by the Ministry of Health in December,
1920, in which it is stated:—
"Patients who require treatment which can, consistently
with the best interests of the patient, be properly
undertaken by a general practitioner of ordinary
professional competence and skill, and who are either
insured persons or can afford to pay for medical attendance,
should not be encouraged to attend the dispensary
for routine treatment."
In effect, therefore, treatment, as distinct from diagnosis
and general supervision, has been limited to patients requiring
treatment of a highly technical order, or who cannot otherwise
obtain medical attendance. Whether this is the proper
policy or not is a matter of opinion, but it at any rate tends to
place a brake on the investigation of new and special methods
of treatment of the tuberculous, a matter of much importance
when it is remembered that the present day sheet-anchor in
tuberculosis is sanatorium treatment, a method which is
costly and is limited now by the financial stringency existing
in the country.
Form " R " (a return as to work carried out in connection
with the Dispensary during the year) is appended.