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Contact children, especially those of debilitated type, whose condition is likely to be
strengthened against disease, can also be referred to the School.
Under open air conditions of schooling, adequate rest hours, special supervision and
feeding up, these children appear to do very well, and there have been but few relapses to active
disease. Breakfasts, consisting of porridge, fried, bread, scrambled eggs, or fish cake, together
with bread and butter and jam, are provided; also mid-day meals with a varied and ample
dietary consisting of fresh and stewed meat, two vegetables and pudding, with fresh fruit and
lemonade.
In addition to those meals the usual ration of fresh milk is given daily to each child;
and in certain cases cod liver oil and malt, Irradex, Haliverol, or Virol are prescribed as well.
Contact children can also be referred to the L.C.C. for boarding out under their Contact
Scheme, if they are in danger of being infected with tuberculosis, or if a parent or parents are
receiving residential treatment and adequate arrangements for their care cannot otherwise be
made.
After Care.
After patients have been discharged from sanatorium or hospital, they return home to
conditions which in many cases are unchanged, and have to face the prospect of competing in
the Labour Market for work with all and sundr, It can readily be conceived then, that this
period is a critical one, and unfortunately many patients, if not the great majority, sooner or
later relapse.
The prognosis in this disease depends on many things, but on nothing more vitally than
the economic and sociological facjtor.
It is with a view to endeavouring to ameliorate these hard times following treatment in
sanatorium, etc., that After Care Committees have been organised as part of the machinery of
the Tuberculosis Dispensary Service.
The functions of Care Committees are comprehensive. The economic position of the
family of every patient is considered, and advice and assistance rendered, as far as possible, with
a view to enabling the family to adjust their circumstances to the new conditions in order to
maintain their economic independence, and to allow the fullest possible advantage to be derived
from the medical treatment given.
Care Committees also carry out, after investigation, recommendations for dental work,
including the provision of dentures, and also in connection with the supply of essential clothing
and boots in order that patients may be able to benefit from residential treatment.
All recommendations for extra nourishment pass through the Care Committee to the Medical
Officer of Health, and in this connection grants of extra nourishment to 74 patients were made
during the year.
I would like to place on record my appreciation of the services of the Chairman,
Vice-Chairman and other members of the Care Committee and of the Secretary for their valuable
work during the year, and in this connection would specially wish to thank the Invalid Children's
Aid Association and the Charity Organisation Society for very special help given freely at all times.