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133
Enquiry is made into the financial position of every patient
recommended by the Tuberculosis Officers for the provision of
nourishment in order to ascertain whether the income of the patient
is within the "necessity" limit of the Council. The restriction of
grants to those patients who are unable to provide for their needs
is also necessary to keep the expenditure within the amount
approved by the Ministry of Health, namely, £2 per 1,000 of the
population.
During 1934 the number of patients to whom grants of milk and
eggs were made was 152, and the total cost to the Council was
£347 15s. Od.

After.Care.—Reference has been made on page 130 of this
Report to the discontinuance during the year of the practice of
requiring contributions towards the cost of residential treatment of
tuberculous persons, the assessment and collection of which has for
years past been carried out by the Tuberculosis Care Committee.
The lightening of the Care Committee's duties in this respect permits
of greater attention being given to the after.care functions for which
such Committees were primarily established. As has been stated, the
Care Committee enquire into the financial position of patients about
to undergo treatment in a residential institution in order that they
may be aware of the need of any assistance required by patients or
their dependents. Help has been given in many cases during the
past year in the matter of the supply of clothing and boots, and
advice and assistance in regard to difficulties connected with
disability benefits, pensions, and so on.
At the handicrafts class instituted by the Care Committee
patients receive instruction in the making of gloves, fancy leather
goods, baskets, trays, stools, chairs, etc., and in barbola and fancy
bead work. The class meets weekly at the offices of the Care
Committee and there is an average attendance of eleven patients.