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57
Tuberculosis Dispensaries.
collected by the Committee or purchased out of the voluntary fund.
The amount spent on clothing was £13 12s. Od. The Committee
arranged for the boarding out of five children in order to enable
their parents to enter an Institution.
The Secretary is able to assist and advise patients in regard
to their Health and Unemployment Insurance. In several cases
where benefit was not payable because the contributions were
in arrears assistance was granted from the voluntary fund. The
patients were thus enabled to draw benefit.
Handicraft Class.—Several years ago the Committee
organised a Handicraft Class where persons suffering from tuberculosis,
who have already received Institutional treatment, are
able to learn certain branches of handicraft and to make articles
which they can sell. The value of handicraft in the treatment
of tuberculosis has been recognised for a considerable time as
it enables patients to do something useful and gives them an
occupation when they are unable to enter the ordinary labour
market.
The Class is maintained by the Committee's fund. It meets
at 79, East Hill, Wandsworth, every Tuesday morning at 10.30
to 12.30 and is in charge of Miss Fone, who is a trained Instructress
in the crafts taught. These are leather, pewter and parchment
work, embroidery and the making of fancy stools. After deducting
the cost of material the profit on a particular article made
at the Class goes to the patient who has made it. The class is much
appreciated by the patients, who attend as regularly as their
health will allow.
A successful sale of articles made by patients at the Handicraft
Class was held in October at the Carpenter's Hail, under
the auspices of the Standing Conference of Metropolitan Boroughs'
Tuberculosis Care Committees.