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Milk rationing being introduced during the winter of the year
under review, made the position more acute, particularly for
patients who were working and called upon to do longer hours.
The grant of extra milk being given only to active cases, the
quiescent patients were thus deprived of milk which formerly, to
a certain extent, had made up for the already reduced fats and
meat ration. This was particularly disturbing in cases where,
although the lung lesion was quiescent, the nutritional state left
a great deal to be desired; longer working hours and reduced
rations tended to bring about a relapse.
A case of pulmonary tuberculosis in a moderately large family
tends to fare rather better than a similar case living alone or in
a very small family, as the amount of meat, fats„ eggs and milk
going into the household gaves him emple opportunity of availing
himself of the necessary diets fifth member of the family either
having canteen meals at work or milling to give up their portion
of essential rations to the sick one.
Assistance: The question of adequate assistance being available
for member's of a family where the bread winner is afflicted
and has to undergo sanatorium, treatment, still remains acute: with
the high cost of living it still seems as if the assistance granted
is not adequate. Again, as in the case of insufficiency of
essential foods, it is the small family that suffers most for want
of adequate assistance.
THE EXAMINATION OF RECRUITS.
Increasingly large numbers of recruits have been referred to
us by the Medical Boards for a Consultant opinion during the year;
several were subsequently notified as tuberculous. The recruiting
of women to the various Services is likely still further to
increase the number of examinations of recruits in the coming year.
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY.
In spite of the Blitz, attendances have been fairly regular
although evacuation has at times diminished the numbers. During
April and May, when raids were particularly bad, the numbers fell,
but they are now back to normal.
Most article made by the patients are immediately sold and
a large sale of patients' work was effected at Xmas 1941.
Up to date no difficulties have been experienced in getting
materials, as special arrangement have been made for supplies to
hospitals.
New crafts introduced for women patients during the year were
cord knotting belts and glove making, together with further
varieties of soft toys.
Occupational Therapy has, since the beginning of the war, been
widely used for cases of neurosis, orthopaedic and general surgery,
rheumatism and tuberculosis, It is essential that the patient
should be given a definite objective in connection with his work,
particularly if there is no likelihood of his returning to normal
work, but the work should at all times bo suited to his individual
needs and capabilities. Moreover, although the sale of finished
goods may serve as encouragement, the choice of articles made must
be subordinated to the. patient's needs.
Finally, occupational therapy is of psychological value by the
very fact that the department is conducted, as a general rule, in
such a way that the patient is able to get away from the atmosphere
of hospitalisation; hence the need for an Occupational Therapy
Department.
27.