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101
Other action in regard to Ascertainment and Follow-up:—
(1) A chest X-ray examination on appointment is required in
regard to those persons in contact with groups of children.
Annual re-examination is carried out as far as possible.
(2) When a new case of pulmonary tuberculosis is notified,
enquiry is made as to infectivity, and if sputum positive,
all the records are marked accordingly, and action is taken
as if it were a case of major infectious disease.
Walthamstow and Chingford Association of Tuberculosis Care
Helpers.
Miss A. Woolgar, Honorary Secretary of the Walthamstow
and Chingford Association of Tuberculosis Care Helpers, contributes
the following report:—
"The work of the Association has continued on much the
same lines as in 1954, with grants being made as occasion arose
while funds permitted.
"During the twelve months covered by this report, substantial
help was given in 182 cases, apart from small occasional
grants or gifts. The greatest item of expenditure continued to
be that on grocery vouchers, but considerable sums were also
spent on clothing and bedding. The amount spent on fares to visit
patients in hospital remained at a high level and seems likely to
continue so while the main centre for chest surgery is so far away
as Broomfield.
"During the autumn, our activities were somewhat restricted
by lack of funds, but we were able to maintain the nourishment
grants and where other assistance was urgently required, this was
obtained through the close liaison existing between our Association
and the Glasspool Trust, whose help is always available to us.
"As a result of increased activity on the part of the Social
Sub-Committee, very satisfactory revenue was derived from
Whist Drives, Dances, etc., making it possible for Christmas
grants to be made from the Social Committee's account.
"By making use of the N.A.P.T.-Spero Scheme, it was
possible to arrange holidays for a few patients, either in specially
selected boarding houses with their families, or in the Spero
holiday homes reserved for the tuberculous. In some cases, the
cost of the holiday was met entirely from our own funds, while
in others it was shared with the County Council under their
provisions for recuperative holidays.
"On two occasions during the year, members were able to
attend study-days arranged by the N.A.P.T. Delegates were
also sent to the N.A.P.T. Commonwealth Health and