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between the two wards. There is an isolation ward on each side.
There are sliding doors to each ward, and a covered verandah
under which beds can be brought out. Adjoining the institution
is an orchard, and in this and the surrounding woods the children
can have very pleasant walks.
Other buildings include a nurses' home, maids' quarters,
playroom, and a schoolroom. Two school teachers attend daily
to give instruction to the children. The school is recognised by
the Board of Education, and is inspected at intervals by one of
their medical officers.
Admissions. During the year 44 cases were admitted, 25
males and 19 females. We get few advanced cases with positive
sputum. The other cases consist of those who show radiologically
an old standing focus, heavy root shadows, or evidence of
pleurisy. While others show no definite signs they often have a
cough and appear generally debilitated. In some cases there is a
definite history of tuberculosis in the home.
In addition we had a number of children with abdominal
tuberculosis and glands, a few of whom were operated on before
admission.
In 23 cases the Mantoux test was carried out.
The average length of stay was approximately 61 weeks.
The percentage of bed patients was 3.94.
Treatment. Beyond the ordinary open-air methods and
the administration of drugs and adexolin in a few cases, active
treatment has not been found necessary.
Results. The results can be considered highly satisfactory .
Children with positive sputum have rarely any sputum after a
short period of treatment. We have not found that children with
a positive sputum and advanced disease are hopeless cases. With
prolonged treatment the results are amazing at times. Manv who
have had treatment are now at work "after a number of years.
Unfortunately, others who were discharged in a hopeful condition,
were later admitted to Dagenham Sanatorium.
Children are much more amenable to treatment than adults,
and, after a sufficient period of treatment, if they could return to
favourable conditions or be kept in an institution such as a colony
for some years, a large proportion would be restored to a satisfactory
state of health. In conclusion, I feel that enough is not
done for the definite tuberculous child in the way of after-care.
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