|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Transcribed by Greville Watson, November 2010 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Northamptonshire County Council [Extract]
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
The number of beds available in Rushden House Sanatorium for patients with respiratory tuberculosis was 80 ; 43 for males and 37 for females. 7 patients were admitted for clinical investigation, 5 were discharged as non-tuberculous and 2 were found to be suffering from respiratory tuberculosis. There were 135 admissions of patients, 79 male and 56 female, and 111 were discharged, 65 male and 46 female. Deaths in the Sanatorium numbered 20, 12 male and 8 female. The retention of advanced patients is consistent with the policy of isolation and has been a useful method of preventive treatment. The patients admitted to the Sanatorium were classified as follows on admission:
Treatment was sufficient in 45 cases to bring the disease to quiescence. The average length of stay was 205 days. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Laboratory Work
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
The examination of sputa are by direct smear, and if negative, by culture methods. Culture of fasting gastric juice has also been adopted on occasions. The Blood Sedimentation Rate which gives an immediate indication of the patient’s condition, and activity of disease, was assessed on admission, and at monthly intervals during treatment ; 683 of these examinations were made. Vital Capacity Tests were carried out on 120 patients. Mantoux Tests were carried out on child patients, and on all nursing and domestic entrants. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
X-ray Work
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
All patients are filmed on admission and subsequently during treatment. The number of X‑ray examinations was 1,964, consisting of 1,592 screen examinations and 372 films. All nursing and domestic staff are X‑rayed on commencing duties, and at periods during their service according to their reaction to the Mantoux test. A new X‑ray apparatus was installed in the Autumn, with a 4 valve rotating anode Tube, Couch, Potter Bucky and Tomograph. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Treatment
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Artificial Pneumothorax Treatment. Treatment by artificial pneumothorax was continued. There were 36 inductions of artificial pneumothorax and 9 pneumoperitoneum inductions made at the Sanatorium ; 760 artificial pneumothorax refills and 302 pneumoperitoneum refills were given. There were 8 pleural wash-outs and 50 aspirations. Eight phrenic nerve operations were carried out at the Sanatorium. Adhesion Section. Twenty four patients, 16 male and 8 female, were admitted to Creaton Sanatorium for section of adhesions limiting artificial pneumothorax, and thoracoplasties. The Treatment Block at the Sanatorium was again in use for examination of patients, artificial pneumothorax treatment, pleural wash-outs, sedimentation rates, dental treatment, X‑ray work, and also as an office. Streptomycin. The Sanatorium was scheduled for the treatment of tracheobronchial and laryngeal tuberculosis, and of advancing, acute pulmonary tuberculosis cases during the year. The table gives the number of cases treated and results:
Dosage was 1 gramme for Laryngeal and 2 grammes for Pulmonary Tuberculosis in 24 hours. Sputum conversion did not occur in any case of Laryngeal Tuberculosis, and in only one case of Pulmonary Tuberculosis. There were no facilities for testing bacilli resistance. Of the patients treated for pulmonary lesions, the one improved patient showed much clearing of X‑ray shadows. This patient, however, was on strict bed rest (absolute for 3 months) and the improvement cannot be proved to be due to Streptomycin. On the other hand, the 8 patients treated for Laryngeal Tuberculosis very early in the treatment expressed relief from symptoms. Dysphagia markedly resolved, but there was slower recession of the tumescence and ulceration of larynx. The pulmonary conditions of these 8 patients treated for Laryngeal Tuberculosis by Streptomycin showed improvement which might normally result in patients under Sanatorium treatment. None of them were on collapse therapy. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Summary
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Streptomycin is useful in clearing up Laryngeal Tuberculosis in a reasonably early or mid stage, and improvement is maintained. Results with Pulmonary Tuberculosis of acute, advancing type (4 cases only) were doubtful. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
