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79.
The Tuberculosis Care Committee.
The work of this Committee (which is a purely
voluntary Association) covers a very wide field and is,
generally speaking, concerned with the social welfare
of patients and their dependents : whilst at the same
time, the economic state of the country and the general
trade depression, which is reflected in the large amount
of unemployment and the unsatisfactory conditions of
tlie labour market, renders its work all the more onerous.
The satisfactory employment of tuberculous individuals
is always one of considerable difficulty to ensure both
from the physical and economic standpoint; and naturally
at a time when so many able-bodied workers are
seeking jobs, there is an overwhelming tendency to rule
out all those unfortunates who, by reason of an impaired
constitution are unable or unlikely to carry on equally
well.
The fact must be remembered that the Care Committee
has no funds directly at its disposal and its functions
are chiefly advisary; and its operations are mainly
concerned in bringing cases of necessity into touch with
agencies existing for the purposes of help and relief,
and in obtaining information necessary for assessments
to be made in cases recommended for institutional treatment.
In this connection special thanks should be given
to the Charity Organisation Society, who visit and interview
all adult cases recommended for institutional treatment
under the London County Council.
The Committee is composed of representatives from
the Public Assistance Committee; the Labour Exchange
and from various voluntary organisations. The Fulham
Borough Council and the London County Council are
also represented : the Tuberculosis Officer for the
Borough acts as Medical Adviser, and the clerk to the
Dispensary as Secretary.
I would like to express my deep appreciation and
thanks to the Chairman, Secretary and other members
of the Committee for much valuable assistance and kindness
during the past years. As typical of the many