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89
It is perhaps not sufficiently realised that, to some extent, the
treatment of the tuberculous subject begins after the patient has
left the Sanatorium. If this was adequately appreciated there
would be fewer relapses. It might be asked what factors are
responsible for these relapses. Experience shows that they are
due to insufficient protection resulting from varied causes such
as:
(1) Return to bad home conditions.
(2) Inadequate nutritional supplies to maintain the condition
on discharge from the Sanatorium.
(3) Inability to compete in the open labour market.
The quiescent or arrested tuberculous subject should not
have to travel long distances to and from his work in crowded
trains or trams, he should work not more than eight hours per
day, and should have a complete hour's rest for lunch, and a
minimum of nine hours for sleep.
The need for rehousing a number of tuberculous patients (as
exists in certain other Boroughs in the Country), is of paramount
importance in the interests of the public health of the population.
It is doubtful whether local authorities sufficiently recognise that
expenditure on the immediate institutional treatment of the tuberculous
subject is only one aspect of the problem. If the results
to be achieved thereby are to be maintained, a far greater financial
expenditure is required for the continued care of the tuberculous
subject.
Occupational Therapy:
In October, 1935, 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.