View report page

30
An inspection was made last year by Dr. Chapman,
Medical Inspector of the Ministry of Health, and Dr.
Menzies, Principal Assistant Medical Officer of the
London County Council of the Tuberculosis Dispensaries
in London, and, as the result, a circular was
issued by the Ministry of which the following were
the most important recommendations:—
1. Treatment at the dispensary as distinct
from diagnosis, consultation and general supervision,
should, as a rule, be limited to patients
whose continued treatment requires special knowledge
or technical skill, and to those who are unable
to obtain other adequate medical attendance.
Patients who require treatment which can, consistently
in the best interests of the patient, be
properly undertaken by a general practitioner, and
who are either insured persons or can afford to
pay for medical attendance, should not be encouraged
to attend the dispensary for routine treatment.
2. The practice of treating patients at the dispensaries
on a large scale and over prolonged periods
with bottles of medicine, cod-liver oil, etc., and of
giving medicines to ensure the attendance of
patients, should be discouraged. Patients should
rather be educated out of the belief in the efficacy
of drugs, and be taught the value of personal advice
and of instruction in a hygienic mode of life.
3. The fullest possible measure of co-operation
should be developed between the dispensary
vice, and the school medical service, and children
attending the dispensary, who are probably not
suffering from tuberculosis, and others suffering
from ill-health not due to tuberculosis, should be
transferred to the School Medical Department, arrangements
being made for these children to be
referred back to the dispensary for further examination
whenever necessary.
4. It is desirable that at least one evening session
in each week should be arranged at each dispensary,
and the question should be considered of instituting
a special session on Saturday mornings, or at
some other suitable time out of school hours, for
children attending schools.