View report page

86
Bacteriology.
A monthly sputum examination is dons at each routine clinical
examination, and including special examinations, 727 specimens
of sputum were examined. All pleural fluids withdrawn are also
examined microscopically.
With the provision of a laboratory in the new building, it is
hoped that adequate provision in material and personnel will be
made so that the scope of this very necessary service may be
enlarged to suit the needs of a modern sanatorium.
Radiography.
The Radiographer visits every Wednesday afternoon, and
deals with all films required. During 1938, 439 films were
taken.
Dental Treatment.
Numerous patients come to the Sanatorium suffering from
pyorrhoea and carious teeth, which are detrimental to health, and
prevent proper mastication and digestion of food. It is a good
opportunity for such dental cases to be dealt with while they are
in the Sanatorium; necessary extractions might be done in twos
or threes over a period, with the necessary rest for healing
between. The provision of a regular dental service for inspection
and extractions is strongly urged, so that this important aspect
of the patients' well-being may not be further neglected.
Occupational Therapy:
Every patient who is considered fit enough, and who has been
graded to a certain stage, is expected to undertake some form of
handicraft work under the guidance of Miss Ross Smith. It is
rare for a patient to intimate his want of appreciation of this
feature of the treatment. Work is done by patients sitting up
in bed, as well as by those who are up, and there is no doubt that
the work is of great value in lessening the tedium of bed rest.