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In addition X-rays taken of tuberculous patients in St. Nicholas Hospital are sent
to the Tuberculosis Officer on their discharge and are filed with the records at the
dispensary. Furthermore, it has to be noted that all patients receiving artificial
pneumothorax refills are X-rayed and screened at the hospital where the treatment
is given and so the exact number of these examinations is not available.
Co-operation with London County Council Local Hospital.—The Tuberculosis
Officer acts as Honorary Consultant for tuberculosis at St. Nicholas Hospital. This
appointment is subject to review each year. He attends at St. Nicholas Hospital
once weekly and sees all cases in the tuberculosis wards and such other cases in the
hospital as may be referred to him for opinion by the medical staff. Patients in
all stages of the disease are admitted to the wards and on the Tuberculosis Officer's
advice are transferred where desirable to other institutions—sanatoria, colonies,
etc. This coming and going of patients has a good psychological effect and prevents
the wards becoming a repository for advanced cases only.
Finsen Light and other Light Treatment.—In 1921 the Council entered into an
agreement with the London Hospital for the treatment of persons suffering from
lupus. Finsen and other forms of light treatment are carried out at a fee of 5s. 0d.
per treatment for Finsen light and 1s. 0d. per attendance for other forms. One
patient is at present receiving treatment.
Light treatment other than Finsen is also provided for patients at the War
Memorial Hospital, and a fee of 1s. 0d. per attendance is paid. One patient is
receiving treatment.
Artificial Pneumothorax.—This treatment consists of collapsing the diseased
lung or portion of the lung and so resting it. Air is induced through a needle into
the pleural cavity in the affected side and in time becomes absorbed and has to be
replaced at varying intervals. The present tendency is for refills to be given in
smaller quantities and at more frequent intervals, with the object of maintaining
a constant degree of collapse. The Council pays a fee of 10s. 6d. for each refill at
Brompton and other voluntary hospitals and also when the procedure is carried out
at London County Council general hospitals. The number of patients so treated
during the year was 61 and the number of refills given was 977.
Dental Treatment.—Dental treatment is carried out under the Council's scheme
at the School Clinic, Brewer Street. During the year 23 cases received treatment
and the number of attendances was 60. Arrangements have been made with the
London County Council for an X-ray examination in dental cases whenever the
Dental Surgeon considers this necessary, at a cost of 7s. 6d. per attendance.
Dental treatment is free except when dentures are supplied and then patients
are assessed according to their means.