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Tuberculosis.
Dagenham Sanatorium.
(4) Under the Tuberculosis Scheme formulated after the passing
of the National Health Insurance Act, the Council were permitted
to use Dagenham Hospital as a Temporary Sanatorium
for Adults with Pulmonary Tuberculosis but, owing to an outbreak
of smallpox at Easter, 1920, the Hospital had to be promptly
cleared of consumptive patients and revert to its primary use; a
costly and very inconvenient undertaking, as only 30 smallpox
cases were admitted. Fortunately, in 1922 the Council was
enabled to enter into an agreement with the Orsett Joint Hospital
Board, whereby the latter authority will admit sporadic cases of
smallpox, up to 22 in number, sent to their Hospital by West
Ham, thus enabling the Council to continue using Dagenham
Hospital for the reception of Tuberculosis until the increasing
pressure on the accommodation of the Orsett Hospital compels
the Council to arrange for further accommodation.
The total number of beds available for tuberculosis cases at
Dagenham Sanatorium is now 128.
The outbreak of smallpox continued throughout the year, but
in view of the very considerate action of the London County Council
in receiving cases into their Institutions from the West Ham
District, the question of the re-opening of Dagenham for the reception
of cases of smallpox has not arisen.
Langdon Hills Sanatorium for Children.
(5) This Sanatorium has accommodation for 40 children
suffering from Pulmonary Tuberculosis and is situated
at the Council's Langdon Hills site. This site
was purchased in 1914 with the object of erecting upon it a
Sanatorium for adults suffering from Tuberculosis, but for many
reasons it has so far been found impracticable to carry out this proposal.
The site comprises 100 acres, and is situated in one of the
highest parts of Essex, overlooking the mouth of the Thames. It
is about 20 miles distant from West Ham, and 270 feet above sea
level.
Cases suffering from Surgical Tuberculosis, by arrangement
with other authorities, are treated at the Alexandra Hospital,
Swanley, Kent, and at various London Voluntary Hospitals.
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