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39
Extra nourishment is available for a number of patients, the
amount spent during the year in this direction being £101. This
ensures one pint of milk per day for each patient. Where, however,
the patient is in receipt of relief from the Guardians, that authority
makes itself responsible for the issue of extra nourishment, which
includes butter, milk and eggs.
A Tuberculosis "Care" and "After Care" Committee has
been appointed by the Council, and it is hoped that it will soon
function vigorously. For the situation which confronts many
patients, particularly the men, is fraught with many difficulties,
especially with regard to housing, suitable employment, etc.
Prevention of Tuberculosis consists largely in the education of
public opinion. In this direction, during the Borough Health and
Civic Week, advantage was taken of the opportunity to bring
home elementary lessons concerning this disease. Lectures were
given on Tuberculosis at the Town Hall, and films illustrating a
typical case were shown at all the leading Cinemas. In both
lectures and exhibits the Tuberculosis Scheme of the Council was
explained and the means of combating the disease emphasised.
Provision is made for the treatment of Non-Pulmonary cases,
especially those of Tuberculosis of bones and joints in both adults
and children by co-operation with the London Hospitals. Where
splints, instruments or appliances are recommended by Hospital
or sanatorium authorities, after an investigation of the patients
ability to pay for them, the Council decides to what extent, if any,
monetary assistance should be given in order to provide such
instruments, etc. The treatment of Tuberculosis of bones and
joints often requires a prolonged period of residence at a sanatorium—as
a rule anything from 18 months to 2 years. During
the year, 12 such patients have been admitted to various sanatoria
(9 cases of hip disease, and 3 cases of spinal disease). The total
number of patients suffering from this type of the disease at present
receiving treatment at sanatoria, for whom the Council is
financially responsible, is 22.
The number of new cases notified does not diminish in spite
of the measures at present taken to reduce its incidence.
I still hold the view that I expressed 16 years ago that the
only means of reducing the incidence of Tuberculosis is the