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121
Such evidence as is available would tend to show that
the risk of infection amongst " contacts " is not greater than
amongst the rest of the population, but this aspect of the
tuberculosis problem is being carefully investigated at the
present moment by the Joint Tuberculosis Council for England,
of which the Tuberculosis Officer is a member. There are
certain dramatic exceptions, well known to all tuberculosis
workers, where certain families appear to have no resistance
to this disease and members contract it one after the other
with fatal results. Claims have been made from abroad
that exceptionally good results have been obtained by special
inoculation treatment, and so far the results seem to justify
more attention being paid to this aspect of preventive work.
Co-operation with Hospitals, etc. Arrangements for cooperation
with general hospitals in London were fully reported
on in the Annual Reports for 1925 and 1926 and these arrangements
were in operation throughout the year. 78 cases were
referred to the Seamen's Hospital for X-Ray examination;
no cases were referred to the London Hospital for treatment
of lupus ; 10 cases, involving 389 treatments, were sent
to the Miller Hospital for treatment by ultra-violet rays;
and 5 cases, involving 58 attendances, were referred to the
Brompton Hospital for pneumo-thorax refills.
As in previous years, children, who though non-tuberculous
were found to require medical treatment for other conditions,
were referred to other agencies. Thirty children were referred
to the Woolwich Branch of the Invalid Children's Aid Association
for treatment at convalescent homes or at the remedial
clinic of the Association.
Co-operation with Local Practitioners. Whenever a notification
is received a letter is sent to the notifying practitioner
in which he is informed that the Tuberculosis Officer will be
pleased to give such assistance as is in his power regarding