70
A distressingly large number of individuals attended but failed to complete the examination, the proportion being rather less than last year.
Bacteriological Investigations.
All such work is carried out at the Government Patho- logical Institute, the details being as follows:
b. A. P. T Initial
Refill
71
17
1,459
Abandoned
Unsatisfactory Completed treatment
102
c. F. P. T. Initial
Positive. Negative.
Total.
Sputum
672
1,636
2,308
Gasteric Lavage Pleural Liquid.....
Kahn Test
6
54
60
23
32
8
41
49
Stage of disease on first attendance.
Of those found to be suffering from active pulmonary tuberculosis more than two-thirds were suffering from bilateral disease.
Cases selected for hospital treatment were, apart from Government Servants who are accorded priority treatment, chosen from the less extensive types of case, who appeared most likely to derive permanent benefit from such treatment.
Number admitted to Hospitals.
Government Hospitals
Queen Mary Hosp. Lai Chi Kok Hosp. St. John Hosp.
ARKALNE
184 267
449
Non-Govt. Hospitals {
Ruttonjee Sanatorium.....
252
Tang Wah Group Hosp. 11
263
712
Grand total of Adroission to Hospitals
It is unfortunately not possible to do more than give advice and symptomatic treatment to the more advanced type of cases who must do what they can for themselves at home. A sub- sidiary scheme for the provision of extra nourishment to such individuals, commenced in 1948, was discontinued on 30th June, 1949 as part of a general economy measure.
The details of out-patient treatment carried out at the clinic was as follows:
Number Treated (specifying forms of treatment)
a. Injections
778
Refill
་
d. Specific Drug Treatment
Streptomycin
P. A. S.
e. Aspiration
Contact Examination.
0
0
80
For the first two months of the year the only method of ensuring contact examination was to encourage the examination of contacts through the patients themselves. In March, how- ever, the first batch of six tuberculosia workers completed their training. These Visitors, all girls, had no preliminary nursing or hospital training, but started off on the course of training for tuberculosis workers with no knowledge of medical or social work whatever. After five months training they were con- sidered fit to commence work. They work under the immediate direction of the Almoner. Their principal duties are in con- nection with the examination of contacts. Each Visitor is responsible for a district and visits the home of each case known in her area. The addresses of patients are obtained from the Harcourt Clinic and from the notification returns. The reception given by the patients to the Visitors, who are designedly not uniformed, has been much better than expected and gradually it has been possible to gain the confidence of the patients. Generally speaking it has been comparatively easy to persuade contacts to come for examination. The system in operation is that children 8 years and under are tuberculin tested and only the positive are X-rayed. For simplicity a patch test is used. In the case of contacts over 8 years of age X-ray is arranged so as to avoid the necessity of the contacts' visiting the clinic. If positive X-ray findings are recorded the patient Is encouraged to attend the Clinic for treatment. The figures
obtained are as follows:
Contacts 8 years and under Tuberculin Tested. Positive and subsequently X-rayed... 307 Negative
930
623
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.