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Register certificates of freedom from infection have been
required, it is necessary to provide three successive sputum tests.
X-RAY—1,161. This is the highest figure recorded, and
indicates the growing recognition of value in diagnosis and
treatment.
HOME VISITS—TUBERCULOSIS HEALTH VISITORS
—3,799. This figure is much lower than in 1945, also in 1944,
for two reasons. In these two years there were many incidents
in the Borough due to aerial combardment by V1 and V2
weapons, and the nurses, after each incident, visited as soon as
possible the patients to render any help necessary and to
discover the whereabouts of those injured or evacuated.
Further, in 1946 one Tuberculosis Health Visitor had considerable
ill-health, resigned, and some time elapsed before a
new one was appointed.
FOOD RATIONING. For many years grants of Home
Nourishment have been made, such as: —
Milk 7 pts.
Eggs Seven per week
Butter ½lb.
These quantities of eggs and butter were no longer permissible,
and to counterbalance a cut in butter, the milk allowance
was increased to 14 pints per week. Despite the apprehension
caused by these changes, the records show that patients have
maintained their condition, and in some cases made remarkable
gains in weight, on the revised allowances. Advice regarding
the most advantageous use of other foods available is given as
a routine, and cod-liver oil and malt supplied when needed.
REHABILITATION. This aspect of the work of a Tuberculosis
Service has become more prominent during the war years.
It is well recognised that the arrest of the disease depends
upon the occupation of the patient being sufficiently remunerative
to maintain the economic condition of the family, and of such a
:haracter as to be within the capacity of the patient.
Two measures have helped in some degree, viz., the scheme
introduced in 1941, for the training and re-settlement of the
disabled (unfortunately, the chronic sputum-positive case is not
eligible under this scheme), and the Disabled Persons (Employment)
Act 1944. In June, 1944, an enquiry showed that 123
men and 68 women, a total of 191, were at work; but in 1946,
with the switch-over to peace-time production, suitable work
again became difficult to find, and the future outlook remains
uncertain.
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