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Co-operation with School Medical Service.—This continues to work in a very
satisfactory way ; many cases are referred to the dispensary by the School Medical
Officers and the child contacts of tuberculous patients are referred to the School
Medical Service for special observation and supervision. Certain unsatisfactory
children, e.g. post-sanatorium, gland and abdominal cases are recommended for
admission to the Open Air School, and such children are brought to the Dispensary
periodically, by the school nurse, for supervision and examination. Such children
as are found on examination to be non-tuberculous but to be suffering from minor
ailments are referred to the School Clinic, and other children whose condition warrants
are referred to the School Care Organiser wdth a recommendation for the provision
of milk and cod liver oil at school, and others to the Woolwich Invalid Children's
Aid Association for convalescent treatment.
Extra Nourishment.—Extra nourishment in the form of milk, eggs and butter
is supplied to tuberculous persons on the certificate of the Tuberculosis Officer.
This is done either through the Tuberculosis Care Committee or, in the case of patients
in receipt of public assistance, through the London County Council. This form of
assistance is not limited to the patients themselves, but can in approved cases be
extended to the contacts of such cases. The extra nourishment is not intended for
advanced cases of tuberculosis where real improvement cannot be expected, but
only for such ante and post-sanatorium cases in which it may make a real difference
to the prospects of recovery.
Dental Treatment.—The dental treatment of tuberculous patients is carried
out at the School Clinic, Brewer Street. During the year 17 cases received treatment,
the number of attendances being 37. Patients requiring dentures are assessed
according to their means. These were supplied in 8 cases at a cost of £34 5s. Od.,
and payments by patients amounted to £17 Is. 9d. In the case of certain insured
persons, help towards the cost of dentures is obtained from approved societies, and
this is taken into account when making the assessment.
Finsen Light Treatment.—The agreement entered into by the Council with the
London Hospital in 1921 for the treatment of patients suffering from Lupus in the
Finsen Light Department of the Hospital is still maintained. A fee of five shillings
is paid for each treatment. No patients were so treated during the year.
Artificial Pneumothorax.—This treatment consists of collapsing a diseased
lung and so putting the diseased portion out of action. This is done by introducing
gas or air through a needle into the pleural cavity of the affected side and as such
air becomes absorbed it is replaced at varying intervals. Refills have to be maintained
over a lengthy period, which probably averages 2½ years. The Council
pays a fee of 10s. 6d. each refill, and the work is at present carried out at several