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Patients discharged, 147.
Deaths, 10.
Average duration of treatment, 20 weeks 4 days.
Number of patient days, 19,824.
Number of beds available at the end of year, 56.
Average number of beds occupied, 54.31.
The average duration of treatment in 1929 was approximately
the same as in 1928, viz., 20 weeks 4 days. There were 10 deaths,
one being due to Cerebral Haemorrhage and Arterio-sclerosis.
As regards the immediate results of treatment :—
50 cases were discharged as " Quiescent,"
77 cases were discharged as " Improved," and
20 cases were discharged as " Not Improved."
This may be regarded as very satisfactory, seeing that a considerable
number of patients, especially men, have to make
arrangements with employers to keep their situations open for
them until they return from the Sanatorium. This naturally makes
them anxious to return to work at the earliest possible moment,
but in the majority of cases extension of time has been obtained
either by the patient himself or by a personal letter from the
Medical Officer to the employer. In this way the length of treatment
has been prolonged sufficiently to enable the man to resume
work with less likelihood of again breaking down.
Treatment by Artificial Pneumothorax is increasing in extent
yeas by year, as can be seen thus :—
In 1927 there were 114 refilling operations performed.
In 1928 there were 139 refilling operations performed.
In 1929 there were 184 refilling operations performed.
The results of this method of treatment continue to be very
effective, and in cases of unilateral disease, whether moderate or
extensive, it is the treatment " par excellence." In connection
with Artificial Pneumothorax it is necessary for the patients to
have frequent screenings by the X-rays in order that the condition
of the lungs may be minutely observed, and although the
arrangement with the Forest Hospital, Buckhurst Hill, for