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Extra Nourishment.—The sum of £302, that is to say, two pounds per thousand
of the population, is available for the supply of extra nourishment to tuberculous
persons, but under this scheme such nourishment is not available for advanced
cases of tuberculosis where real and lasting improvement cannot be expected but
only for ante- and post-sanatorium cases in which it may make a real difference
to the prospects of recovery. Under arrangements made with the London County
Council Public Assistance Committee the responsibility of recommending extra
nourishment for patients who are being assisted by that Committee rests with the
Tuberculosis Officer, and it is gratifying to record the smoothness with which these
arrangements work and the cordial relations which exist between the Tuberculosis
Service and the Public Assistance Service, and the officers of both services.
X-Ray Examinations.—It is a commonplace, nowadays, to regard X-ray examinations
as absolutely essential for the diagnosis and investigation of cases of tuberculosis.
Every new adult patient attending the dispensary is X-rayed. Every positive
Mantoux child is. Post-sanatorium cases are so examined from time to time.
Nearly 1,200 examinations were recorded last year but X-rays are used more frequently
than this figure indicates. All patients undergoing artificial pneumothorax
treatment are frequently screened and X-rayed during the progress of this treatment.
Local patients admitted to St. Nicholas Hospital are X-rayed in hospital and the
skiagrams are forwarded to the dispensary on the patient's discharge.
Patients are sent for these examinations to the War Memorial Hospital and
to St. Nicholas Hospital. In the majority of cases the film is available at the
Dispensary the following day. The number of patients X-rayed at the War
Memorial Hospital was 306 and at St. Nicholas Hospital, 850.
Dental Treatment.—Tuberculous patients requiring dental treatment are referred
to the Borough Council clinic at Brewer Street. During the year 38 cases
received treatment. The number of attendances was 156. Patients requiring
dentures are assessed according to their income, each case being considered on its
merits by the Tuberculosis Care Committee, which submits a suitable recommendation
to the Health Committee. Dentures were supplied in 18 cases at a cost of £84 5s. 2d.,
and payments by patients amounted to £31 0s. lOd.