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Transcribed by Greville Watson, November 2010 |
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Northamptonshire County Council [Extract]
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The Report of Dr. G. B. Lord, the Medical Superintendent is as follows : During the year 71 beds have been available for patients with pulmonary tuberculosis ; 37 for males and 34 for females. Use of these beds was made at intervals for purposes of observation in order to conclude the diagnosis in the more difficult types of cases. Three males were admitted ; one was discharged as a non-tuberculous spontaneous pneumothorax, two other males were discharged as non-tuberculous. One female was discharged as suffering from bronchitis and asthma. There were 113 admissions of patients, 60 males and 53 females, and 96 were discharged, 51 males and 45 females. 16 deaths, 8 males and 8 females, occurred in the sanatorium. The retention of ill patients until death was consistent with the policy of isolating advanced cases. The rebuilding of the sanatorium provided facilities for this purpose, and in removing infective cases from their homes, this work has been a valuable part of preventative treatment. The type of case has been severe throughout the year. Seven cases of pleurisy with effusion were treated, and twelve patients classified as pulmonary tuberculosis negative. 75 sputum positive cases of pulmonary tuberculosis were treated, stage (1) 13, stage (2) 27, and stage (3) 35 cases. 25 cases responded to treatment so as to be regarded as quiescent on discharge. |
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Laboratory Work
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X-ray Work
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In undertaking energetic treatment of patients, constant use of X‑rays are essential. X‑ray gives exact information as to the distribution of the disease, and its progress and prognosis. For Artificial Pneumothorax work, constant screen is practised both before and after refills, and in this way one of the dangers of such treatment, excessive collapse, is avoided. All patients are filmed on admission and subsequently according to necessity. 290 X‑ray films and 827 screenings were made during the year. All Sanatorium Nursing and Domestic Staff are X‑rayed on commencement of duties. |
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Treatment
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(1) Gold treatment – 496 injections of gold were given to 54 patients. The average total amount of gold given per patient was 1.93 gms. Several years’ experience with this type of treatment is disappointing. The treatment is expensive, mostly ineffective and risky, and, as in Sanatoria in the country generally, its use will become less frequent. (2) Cadmium – 201 injections of Cadmium Sulphide in sterilised Olive Oil were given to 16 patients. (3) Artificial Pneumothorax – Many years’ experience of Artificial Pneumothorax confirms the opinion that it is the most successful treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis if adopted before the disease is too advanced and masses of adhesions have formed. It can be most effective and temporary setbacks such as reactions and pleural effusions do not prejudice the ultimate result. Eleven inductions were made during the year, and 256 refills were given. Of these, only one was abandoned within one month of its initiation, which suggests that there was a careful selection of cases suitable for the treatment. Nine pleural washouts were made on pneumothorax patients. One patient with an extra pleural pneumothorax had 21 refills. The Treatment Block was in active use throughout the year for examination of patients, for pneumothorax treatment, sedimentation work, dental work, and X‑ray work. The Block was found to be a useful and well conceived unit apart from the absence of a small laboratory. |
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