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58.
The number of tuberculous patients on the register
has also decreased from 902 in 1927, to 840 in 1928, the
drop being largely the result of many being discharged
as "cured," "lost sight of" or no longer needing supervision.
In connection with "discharges" it may be noted
that the regulations formulated by the Ministry of
Health are carried out, and the classification as "cured"
can only be adopted if a patient has been in an arrested
condition for a consecutive period of three years; whilst
the term "arrested" is only applicable to those patients
who have shown no indications of active disease—i.e.
" quiescent " for a period of two years. Thus actually if
a patient is once notified as suffering from Tuberculosis
(unless denotified as non-tubercular by or with the consent
of the medical man who originally notified the case)
he cannot be discharged as "cured" within a period of
five years from that notification.
It will be recognised that those patients discharged
as "cured" are cases who have remained under supervision
by Public Health authorities (either in Fulham
or elsewhere) until they have fulfilled the conditions
specified above.
The number of Dispensary attendances during the
year 1928 was 3,990, the actual number of individuals
attending being 1,588; a very slight decrease (14) from
the previous year; on the other hand the number of
physical examinations carried out by the Tuberculosis
Officers has increased, the total figure being 3,979.
The Medical Stall continue to re-examine patients
whenever necessary, either at the request of the private
doctors, or, in the case of those under actual "Dispensary
supervision" at such intervals as may be indicated by the
course or type of disease.
It may be pointed out that under the general Tuberculosis
scheme, the Dispensary is intended primarily
for consultation, examination and disposal purposes, and