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149
made a sub-department of the Public Health Department. The
Tuberculosis Officer is a whole time official, who has been chosen
for his high qualifications and wide experience in the diagnosis
and treatment of tuberculosis (pulmonary and other forms). He
has at present for assistants, one dispenser, two nurses, the latter
being officers of the Borough Council. All medicines and vaccines
required for the patients treated at the Dispensary are provided
at that Institution. The site of the dispensary is central, not far
from the Town Hall, and in telephonic communication with the
offices of the Public Health Department. The functions of this
dispensary are of a three-fold kind :—(1) 1Clinical; (2) Bacteriological
; (3) Statistical.
1. All cases of tuberculosis (except poor law cases) are examined
at the dispensary by the Tuberculosis Officer and the proper treatment
recommended for each case. This recommendation in the
form of a report is forwarded to the Insurance Committee through
the Medical Officer of Health. If the case is recommended domiciliary
treatment the Medical Officer of Health has instructions to
arrange with local medical practitioners for the patient's proper
treatment. The medical practitioners have the opportunity of
consulting the Tuberculosis Officer with respect to their patient's
treatment. If the case is recommended by the Tuberculosis Officer
for sanatorium treatment the report also goes to the Committee,
through the Medical Officer of Health, who send the case to the
selected Sanatorium. If the Tuberculosis Officer if of opinion that
the case is one for hospital, his report is forwarded to the Committee
through the same channel as cases requiring sanatorium treatment,
and the patient is sent by the Insurance Committee to the hospital
chosen for his reception.
If the Tuberculosis Officer thinks the case is best dealt with
by attendance at the dispensary, the case is so treated.
The patents seen at the dispensary receive instruction how to
dispose of tneir sputum, and generally how to avoid conveying