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89
Report of Tuberculosis Officer—continued.
them further treatment from him is unnecessary. When the
doctor reports to this effect, the patient is requested to come to see
the Tuberculosis Officer who communicates with the doctor and
suggests further treatment if this seems desirable.
The large decrease in the number of cases to which light
treatment is given is due to the conclusion reached, that, except
in cases of lupus or other tuberculous skin disease, light treatment
is of decided benefit only when combined with conditions associated
with sanatorium treatment. The London County Council
now only approve of such treatment for special cases under
dispensary schemes.
The decrease in home visits by the Tuberculosis Officer is
accounted for by two months during which extra duties were
carried out in general public health work.
It is satisfactory that the number of specimens of sputum
examined for practitioners has increased over last year's figure
by nearly 100.
X-ray examinations have increased by 29.
The number of G.P. 36 reports from practitioners about
their tuberculous panel patients has increased by 44. If the
doctor does not send his report when due and the patient has not
recently attended the Dispensary, a form is sent to the doctor,
with the patient's name and address, and a request to forward
a report.
The Medical Officer of Health sent during the year a special
circular to panel doctors drawing their attention to the importance
attached by the Minister of Health to the furnishing of these
reports.
As regards "contact examinations" the figures given of the
numbers examined at the Dispensary do not represent the total
of contacts examined as a result of the notification, and home
visits, by the Tuberculosis Health Visitor, for some are examined