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administration of the Tuberculosis scheme for the Borough was
again under consideration at the end of the year in connection
with the renewal of the annual contract with the Dispensary
Committee.
Tuberculosis After care.
A letter was received from the London County Council
referring to the arrangements made by them for the establishment
of Interim Tuberculous Care Committees in London,
and suggesting that as the difficulties experienced during the
war had largely disappeared, Borough Councils should establish
permanent Tuberculosis Care Committees on the lines
indicated by the Local Government Board in April, 1915.
The Health Committee decided to postpone consideration of
the matter pending a decision as to the future of the Tuberculosis
Dispensary in the Borough Council's Tuberculosis
Scheme for Battersea.
The annual report of the Battersea Dispensary for the
Prevention of Consumption for the year 1919 states that
during the year 692 cases were referred to the dispensary for
diagnosis and treatment, showing an increase of 121 cases
over 1918, the increase, it is pointed out, being due, in great
part, to the large number of ex-service men sent by the Local
War Pensions Committee.
Of the 692 cases examined 199 (i.e., 28.7 per cent.) were
diagnosed as definitely tuberculous, showing a marked
increase over the figures for each year since 1912. Of the 199
definite cases 131 were adults and 68 children. Of the 131
adults 100 were insured and 31 non-insured persons.
Of the 692 cases 164 were found not to be suffering from
tuberculosis and were discharged.
Contacts.
The number of contacts examined at the Dispensary during
the year was 317—(adults, 78; children, 239). The Medical
Officer (Dr. Macdonald) states that this most important work
suffers owing, under existing circumstances, to lack of time
to devote adequate attention to it.
67 "suspects" were definitely diagnosed during the
year as tuberculous, and these added to the 199 new definite
cases make a total of 266 cases notified, as compared with a
total of 143 during 1918.