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128
The number of families with one or more tuberculous members
in urgent need of better accommodation, is, however, still considerable,
and speeding up of the re-building schemes appears to
be neccessary. Desirable as fresh air and suitable accommodation
may be, these are of little avail in the absence of an adequate
diet, which is, in my opinion, the first essential in a patient's fight
against tuberculosis. The Public Authorities, recognising the
importance of diet in treatment, give grants for extra nourishment
to tuberculous patients where financial circumstances warrant it.
The Borough Councils supply milk and eggs to those patients who
are not in receipt of Relief while the Public Assistance Committee
give a grant for this purpose to those under their care. This
arrangement has obviated the possibility of overlapping and has
released funds formerly expended by the Boroughs on those in
receipt of Relief, and so enabled us to extend the grant. Formerly
the Public Assistance Committee turned down quite a number of
our recommendations without informing us of their action, but
since the Borough Medical Officers of Health kindly took the
matter up for us with the London County Council, the position
has improved, and the number now refused a grant is relatively
small and probably justified on financial grounds. Moreover we
are now informed of the reasons for refusal.
During the year 133 cases were admitted to Sanatorium or to
Hospitals other than the London County Council general hospitals.
We are fortunate in London as far as institutional treatment is
concerned, as the London County Council now have adequate
accommodation for all classes of cases, including those with
advanced disease. No case offering a prospect of cure, or a
reasonable hope of such improvement as will enable the patient
to resume work, is refused the chance of sanatorium treatment.
Moreover the waiting list has now been considerably reduced.
The old problem of the advanced case has also, to a large extent,
been solved, as we are experiencing much less difficulty than
formerly in persuading patients to enter the Council's General
Hospitals. Of the many reasons contributing to this, I would
mention the improved status of the Hospitals under the London
County Council, the more energetic and efficient treatment now
available, the knowledge that the Tuberculosis Officer will continue
to supervise their treatment, and the latitude allowed a
patient in his choice of a Hospital.