Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Southwark, Borough of]
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TUBERCULOSIS CARE COMMITTEE.
The work of the Tuberculosis Care Committee is to see all people
recommended by the Tuberculosis Officer to the L.C.C. for Sanatorium
or Hospital treatment, and such other people attending the Borough
Tuberculosis Dispensary who need special help or advice.
In 1928, 235 adults and 92 children were recommended to the L.C.C.
for Institutional treatment.
In the case of ex-service men, discharged from the Army or Navy
with pensions for Tuberculosis, they are provided for by the Ministry of
Pensions or referred to the Red Cross and they do not come before the
Committee.
Our Committee has no funds except a fund for extra nourishment,
granted by the Ministry of Health, so when help is needed it has to be
obtained from various societies with whom we co-operate closely.
During 1928 the United Service Fund helped 36; Soldiers' and Sailors'
Help Society 28; Charity Organisation Society 18.
Many of the cases were receiving Poor Law Relief. In 7 cases the
Guardians supplied these people with clothes.
The Society for Relief of Distress helped 5; Society of St. Vincent
de Paul 1; Royal Naval Benevolent Trust 3; and various Regimental
Societies 9; Church Army 1.
Help was obtained in 5 cases from private individuals.
Some of the forms of help given are clothes to wear during the
period of treatment. Provision for the care of children when the mother
is away. Allowances to families when the father is away. Pocket money
for people with no resources going to Sanatoria. Invalid dinners on
their return and temporary allowances while looking for work.
All cases are visited on their return home.
When their means allow it, the heads of families are asked to
contribute towards the cost of treatment. These contributions are
collected in adult cases by the Hon. Organiser, and in children's cases
by the two Branches of the I.C.A.A., with whom we co-operate closely.
During 1928 the relations of 69 adults and 29 children contributed
weekly sums, varying from 1/6 to 20/-.
If any change occurs in the circumstances of the contributor during
the time of treatment, the L.C.C. is at once communicated with and
the contributions excused or altered.
TABLE D.
Cases (including contacts) found Non-Tubcrculous, 535:—
| Insured Persons | 183 | Males | 109 |
| Females | 74 | ||
| Non-Insured Persons | 352 | Males | 12 |
| Females | 69 | ||
| Males | 141 | ||
| % | Females | 130 | |
| Total | 535 |
TABLE E.
Total attendances of patients:—
| Insured Persons | 3,334 |
| Non-Insured Persons | 1,712 |
| Total | 5,046 |
TABLE F.
Number of examinations of patients:—
| Insured Persons | 860 |
| Non-Insured Persons | 722 |
| Total | 1,582 |
TABLE G.
The following cases were recommended to the London County Council for treatment (Insured Persons):—
| Sanatorium | 161 |
| Hospital | 36 |
| Home for Advanced Cases | 2 |
| Hospital for observation | 26 |
| Convalescence | 3 |
| Total | 228 |