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63.
to Table I. will show that the London County Council
sent away to Sanatoria and other places no less than 139
of these. The remainder have been dealt with through
the valued assistance of the various voluntary agencies
viz : the Invalid Children's Aid Association, the Charity
Organisation Society and the United Services Fund; and
by the Fulham Board of Guardians.
Sanatorium treatment still remains the best treatment
for Tuberculosis from which any benefit may be
expected; but to be of permanent value it must be undertaken
in the earliest stage of the disease and be prolonged
for a considerable period, and followed by favourable
conditions of home and employment. As patients must
be in very good circumstances (especially if the family
bread-winners) to carry out the long course of treatment
necessary, the results obtained under public schemes are
unfortunately in many cases only temporary.
However, the admission of certain chronic cases for
short periods is often of great benefit, as the fresh air,
routine and rest under supervision, tend to give them a
fresh lease of useful working life whilst the educational
value is undoubtedly good.
The problem of dealing satisfactorily with the very
advanced case remains one of much difficulty. Such
cases are unsuitable for sanatoria, as the prospect of a
return to working life is practically nil, and even a
definite degree of recovery very doubtful. There remain
only three alternatives:—
(a) The Home for Advanced Cases.
(b) The Poor Law Hospital.
(c) A return to patient's own domicile, where probably bedridden
and a grave source of danger in disseminating
infection amongst other members of the household
(especially young children), the sufferer passes the last
phase of existence.
Fortunately, in Fulham, owing to the excellent
reputation of the Poor Law Infirmary for good treatment
and adequate medical service it is by no means a difficult