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In addition, one of the Tuberculosis Visitors attended a refresher course during
the winter.
(e) Home Visiting of Tuberculosis Cases.—On receipt of every notification the
home is visited by the Tuberculosis Visitor, who advises as to any re-arrangement
that seems possible and desirable in the interests of the patient and other members
of the family. In the case of patients notified by the Tuberculosis Officer a visit
is also made by one of the medical staff, who thus gains a knowledge of the home
circumstances of the patient. The Tuberculosis Visitor endeavours to visit each
home in her district once in three months, but, in the case of patients with recent
and more active disease, visits are more frequent.
(f) Wark for the Ministry of Pensions.—The arrangements whereby the Council's
Tuberculosis Staff are available for advising the Ministry of Pensions as to the
residential treatment of ex-service pensioners, the granting of treatment allowances
in eligible cases, reports as to progress, etc., continue to work satisfactory. As
would be anticipated, however, this work shows a definite decrease. In 1925, 70
such ex-service men were under the supervision of the Tuberculosis Officer, and
in 1930 this number had declined to 45 with a consequent decrease in the number
of reports furnished to the Ministry of Pensions, and a decrease in the number of
visits paid by the Tuberculosis Visitors. The reports numbered 19 in 1930 as
compared with 119 in 1925, and the visits were 129 as compared with 479 in 1925.
The sum of £2 7s. 6d. was received in respect of these services.
(g) Contacts.—On receipt of each primary notification every effort is made
to induce people living in the same house as the patient to present themselves for
examination. In many cases, however, it is very difficult to persuade them of
the necessity for this examination. During the year under review 322 contacts
were examined.
(h) X-Ray Examinations.—Experience shows that X-ray examination is
indispensable in a thorough examination of a patient suspected of tuberculosis.
In the later stages of the disease this examination is also necessary for the efficient
control of treatment by artificial pneumothorax, and is essential if surgical measures
are under consideration. Greatly increased use is therefore being made of X-rays
in dispensary work, and the increase is likely to continue. In this connection it
has to be remembered that several institutions to which patients are sent do not
possess an X-ray plant, and it is desirable to have an examination made on their
return from such institutions.
Whereas in 1925 the number of X-ray examinations was 67, in 1930 the figure
had grown to 408. Payment for this service is made on the following basis :—
s. d.
For screen and report 7 6
For X-ray film and report 15 0