View report page

61
Close touch is kept with the physicians and X-ray
department of Brompton Hospital and all reports from
them are noted on the case sheets at the Dispensary.
Under arrangements between the Fulliam Borough
Council and Brompton Hospital, all cases for X-ray
screening and photography are referred to the latter
institution : a detailed report by the well-known radiologists,
Dr. Stanley Melville and Dr. Rawlinson, being
returned to the Tuberculosis Officer together with the
X-ray film. This is examined and noted on the casesheets
and the film numbered and filed for further use :
a series of films at intervals can therefore readily be
understood to be of the greatest value in determining
progress of the disease when perhaps the patients own
condition and physical signs appear to be at variance.
In all cases a further report of the X-ray findings
is sent to the private practitioner who originally attended
the patient.
Tuberculosis in Children,
Large numbers of children, contacts and otherwise,
are referred to the Dispensary. Fortunately, the amount
of tuberculosis in an active and virulant state is small,
though probably the large majority have had small
infections and have become "Tubercularized" during
their early years. A severe infection in the infant would
probably give rise to fatal disease but a mild
"Tubercularization" gives rise to but few symptoms, if
any and this is, no doubt, the reason why only comparatively
few children shew signs of active disease.
Moreover, repeated small doses of infection are probably
responsible for the formation of an individual resistance
which is strongly protective in later years.
Many "slightly infected" children are kept under
observation and supervision, and make good progress
without specialized treatment. For those who require
more active measures, institutional treatment in
Sanatoria, Surgical Homes or Convalescent Homes can