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93
Report of the Work of the Tuberculosis Care Committee, 1 934
During the past year important changes and developments, with
far-reaching effects, have taken place in connection with the work
of the Tuberculosis Care Committee.
In August, assessments towards the cost of institutional treatment
for tuberculosis were abolished by the London County
Council, a drastic change that, however, made little difference in
the volume of the work, in so far as Deptford is concerned ;
accounted for by the facts that only in a very small proportion of
cases was an assessment made, and that the procedure for dealing
with new cases remains practically unaltered.
The number of cases to be dealt with by the Care Committee
has been increased considerably by the addition of cases admitted
to General Hospital, as reported upon last year.
During the early part of the year under review, arrangements
were made between the Borough Council and the South Metropolitan
Gas Company for a series of cookery demonstrations to
be held at the Health Centre—the gas cooker is supplied by the
Gas Company, who also provide the services of a lady demonstrator.
A grant made by the Borough Council is disbursed by
the Care Committee for the small necessary expenses incurred
for the provisions and cleaning. Economical, nourishing and
appetising meals are prepared and cooked, and a typed copy
of the recipes is presented to each member of the class. The real
interest and keenness displayed by the wives and mothers of our
tuberculous patients, together with their regular attendance,
justifies the experiment, which can be considered a complete
success.
Another happening of importance occurred during the latter
part of the year, when we became affiliated to the National
Association for the Prevention of Tuberculosis. This event draws
attention to a most important feature of our work. How much
better prevention is than cure no one knows better than a
Tuberculosis Care Committee worker, and we count it a privilege
to be associated with a body that directs its main efforts to this
end. Affiliation makes it possible to participate in the benefits
derived from the Christmas Seal Sales, held under the auspices of
the Association. Each Committee is responsible for organising