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29
Surgical Cases.—These are treated chiefly at Margate. The
substitution of conservative for operative treatment in these cases
necessarily prolongs the period of treatment. The usual period
undertaken by this method for the arrest of " hip " cases is at
least 18 months, for " spine " cases 2 years; other sites of infection
take correspondingly long periods of treatment. Of spine
cases there were 8 receiving treatment during the year ; hip cases
numbered 15. This prolongation of the period of treatment
necessarily prolongs the period during which the Council undertakes
financial responsibility.
Extra Nourishment.—This, in any form, is only granted
after a survey of the whole of the patient's financial circumstances
by a representative of the Borough Treasurer's staff. It includes
the issuing of a voucher enabling the patient to obtain a free
supply of pure milk from authorised agents. The amount is 1
pint of milk per patient per day. The number of patients in
receipt of this throughout the year is 32. Another form is the
issuing of certificates to the patients for presentation to the
Relieving Officer. The value of this extra nourishment is about
5s. per week. This enables the patient to obtain supplies of eggs
and milk and sometimes of butter. Thus the eligibility of patients
from an economic standpoint is controlled by the Borough
Treasurer, whilst the eligibility on medical grounds rests with
the Tuberculosis Officer.
Pre Tuberculous Children.-—Delicate children predisposed to
Tuberculosis reach the Dispensary through either of two avenues,
viz., their School Medical Service or the examination of contacts
of notified cases. Such children as are definitely suspicious cases
of Tuberculosis remain under observation at the Dispensary and,
where necessary, resort is made to their admission to Convalescent
Homes or Open-air Schools. In this matter of the ready transmission
of cases and for their co-operation throughout the year
we would thank the medical officers and nursing staff of the School
Medical Service. That there is so very little delay in the admission
of pre-tuberculous to Convalescent Homes and of notified
cases to Sanatoria is due to the active sympathy and ready cooperation
of the local branch of the Invalid Children's Aid Association,
for whose continued support we are grateful.
The routine work of the Dispensary is of necessity increasing.
During the year the number of sputa examined was 807. This