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55
Tuberculosis Dispensaries.
out in this respect. Much time is spent by members of the
Committee in collecting articles of clothing from their friends
and a certain proportion of the funds of the Committee have
to be expended in this direction.
When a patient, previously a wage earner, has completed
treatment he is sometimes fit to return to work and it is often
a difficult matter to place these ex-patients. The previous
occupation may be entirely unsuited for a person suffering from
tuberculosis and fresh and suitable employment has to be found.
Assistance is also given to ex-patients to purchase tools and other
stock in trade and occasionally an advance towards the purchase
of a business is made by the Committee.
There is always a number of patients in an advanced stage
of tuberculosis who are being nursed either at home or in S. James'
Hospital, Balham. These cases are visited as often as possible
by the Secretary or one of the members of the Committee. Some
of the cases which are being nursed at home are unable to obtain
essential articles of medical equipment. Medical and nursing
requisites, e.g., water beds, air and water cushions, bed rests,
feeding cups, etc., which have been acquired by the Committee
gradually, are supplied on loan to necessitous cases who require
them.
By permission of the authorities of S. James' Hospital regular
visits are paid to Wandsworth residents suffering from tuberculosis
who happen to be in the Hospital. 142 of these cases were
visited regularly during the year. Many of these patients are
in the Hospital for prolonged periods and the visits are much
appreciated.
When a patient is recommended for treatment in an Institution,
the County Council, who arrange for that treatment, require a
contribution towards the cost if one is justified. For this purpose
the full circumstances of the family have to be investigated
by the Care Committee who have appointed a Sub-committee for
this purpose. The amount of the contribution is assessed by the
Sub-committee and a recommendation as to the amount is sent
to the London County Council. It is found in many cases that
patients are unable to make any contribution and the cases are