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68.
Of all these memoranda, 37 T. is the most important,
and later revisions have corrected or supplemented
the original one "where necessary, in the light of the
experience gained.
It can be seen that the past quinquennium is therefore
a most important one in the campaign against
Tuberculosis and the drastic changes occasioned by the
operations of the above legislature are clearly reflected
in the statistics during the period named, vide Tables
V. and VI. : it must not be thought however that the
great difference in dispensary figures (between the early
days of the dispensary system and the present time) denotes
a corresponding difference in the number of actual
"sufferers" from tuberculosis, although, as I have said
previously the number is decreased, the difference is
mainly due to a gradual improvement in the system of
record and of dispensary procedure.
The Tuberculosis Dispensary is now primarily a
centre for consultation, observation with its special
tests, diagnosis and supervision : routine treatment by
drugs is not carried out, and generally speaking, it may
be pointed out in this connection that drug treatment is
of very little permanent value in dealing with tuberculosis.
Those individuals who require temporary
medical treatment (and usually for ailments not connected
with the actual disease) are referred to their own
doctors, to institutions, or to the Public Assistance
Committee which in 1930 has taken over the functions
of the former Guardians of the Poor.
In certain cases of exceptional distress or emergency
it is however still the custom at the Dispensary to supply
certain medicaments for a limited period until satisfactory
arrangements can be made elsewhere.
Home Visiting.
The Dispensary Staff have carried out 4,959 visits
to the homes of patients, 427 being made by the Medical
Officers (of which 105 were for purposes of consultation
at the bedside with private practitioners). A certain