View report page

116
The Gloving Class.
Thirty-seven lessons were given during the year and tctal attendances numbered two
hundred and twenty-six. The numbers in the class varied a good deal: there is now only one
or the original class attending but several of the more recently joined members have attained a
high degree of proficiency and there is usually a beginner.
The outstanding event for the class was a Sale which was held in the Dispensary on
October 13th, when the Mayor and Mayoress were present and showed much interest in the display
of gloves and in the class itself. £14: 14: 9 was taken at the sale together with a large number
of orders. During the year and including the Sale, gloves to the value of £42: 3: 3 were
disposed of through the agency of the Committee, besides those which were sold direct by the
Central Fund which continues to be financially responsible for the class.
Conclusion.
In the foregoing an attempt has been made to give a brief account of the history
and present day control of tuberculosis. Reference has been made to the decline in mortality
rates during the past sixty years, and a glance at the dispensary statistics during the past few
years is sufficient to indicate that Fulham is nc exception to the general rule.
At the same time it must be confessed that our past statistics are somewhat misleading—
and there may be still some who are unduly impressed with large figures, judging departmental
value quantitatively rather than qualitatively.
1 should like to point out that large numbers—as representing work done in a department
dealing specially with tuberculosis, do not necessarily indicate efficiency—rather otherwise; for
excessive numbers defeat their own ends and individual care, so specially needed in this disease,
suffers in the struggle to attain imposing annual returns.
Tuberculosis work, whether examination, supervision or after-care, cannot be rushed: nor
can large numbers be properly dealt with at clinics, as there is a limit to one's critical faculties.
There are so many factors which musit be; thought of if any good is to be expected—and
the mental attitude of the patient has also to be carefully considered.
Sanatorium, institutional or dther treatment is not likely to do much good if a patient is
worried all the time with private and home anxieties.
It is well, however, to guard against undue optimism because there has been this
continued decline. The epidemiology of tuberculosis is but imperfectly understood at the present
time; and although excellent work is being carried out in the country and the Borough with regard to
better housing and nutrition, I do not for one minute think this ;s going to "wipe out' tuberculosis
when there are so many hidden sources of infection, and where public ignorance, sentiment or
deficiencies in the present scheme, prevent more satisfactory measures being taken in those
already known.
Two important factors make themselves continuously felt in opposition to our control of
the disease viz.: (A) the unjust " stigma " which is so often more potent in that it is usually
indirectly expressed. (B) Fear of the inevitable re-adjustment of all private life (often
accompanied by more or less financial crash or loss of employment) which may ensue on a
diagnosis of consumption being made.