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72
(b) Not directly due to tuberculosis—
Pyorrhoea and dental caries 18, skin diseases 2,
gastritis 2, bronchitis 4, asthma 2, epilepsy 1,
dysentery 1, otitis media 1, diabetes mellitus 2,
hyperthyroidism 1, carbuncles 1.
As mentioned previously, in November, 1932, the building of
a new block for advanced and observation beds was begun. When
completed this will convert the institution into what is designated
a " Sanatorium-Hospital," which is the most suitable arrangement
a Local Authority can adopt for the treatment of all cases
of phthisis, " early," " intermediate " and " advanced." Dr.
MacNalty of the Ministry of Health in his Report on Tuberculosis
states that by " hospital treatment " is meant—
" (a) observation of doubtful cases for the purpose of
diagnosis or for determination as to their suitability
for sanatorium treatment,
(b) treatment of " acute " cases with considerable
stitutional disturbance, with subsequent transference
to the sanatorium section if they respond to
treatment and become ambulant and afebrile,
(c) short period treatment and education in hygiene of
" intermediate " and " chronic " cases, and
(d) isolation of dangerously infective and advanced cases."
He also sets out the advantages of a combined institution which
in short are, that the patient can be treated in all stages of the
disease by the same medical attendant and be transferred from
the hospital block to the sanatorium section or vice versa without
delay so as to receive the most suitable form of treatment. This
keeps before patients undergoing hospital treatment the prospect
of making sufficient progress to be so transferred, and finally the
hospital block being on the same site as the sanatorium it is
economical in medical and nursing administration.
In addition to these advantages the cubicles in the new
pavilion at " Harts " will afford to patients and relatives a comforting
privacy, both in the final stages of the disease and at the
dissolution, and will prevent that spell of gloom which is cast
over the other patients when a death occurs in an open ward.