View report page

59
Prevention of Blindness.
No action has been taken during the year under Section 66
of the Public Health Act, 1925.
Tuberculosis.
East Ham Tuberculosis After Care Committee.
The After-Care Committee, under the Chairmanship of Mr.
Councillor G. H. Manser, J.P., has continued to do excellent
work during the year. Its value in assisting necessitous cases
makes the scheme more effective.
Eighty-four patients have been provided with clothing and
bedding. The provision of bedding has enabled the patients concerned
to sleep alone, thus acting as a preventive measure to the
healthy members of the family.
Other patients have been helped by the provision of crutches,
splints, spectacles, repairs to artificial limbs, and payment of
removal expenses. Part cost of dental treatment was borne in
one case, and another patient's arrears of National Health Insurance
contributions were paid to enable him to keep in benefit.
Funds arc urgently needed.
Occupational Therapy:
In October a handicraft centre was formed at the Chest Clinic
for patients suffering from chronic tuberculosis and having no
definite form of employment. Each patient does the craft work
which he or she thinks would be most useful, and all patients have
individual tuition.
This includes raffia work, small baskets, table mats, various
ways of seating stools with seagrass and rushes, rug-making
needle-weaving, weaving, Italian quilting, glove-making, and
soft woollie toys.
Occupational therapy is keeping the mental attitude of these
patients favourably influenced and is providing a means whereby
they may escape from the boredom of inactivity and depression.