[Report 1900] / Medical Officer of Health, Westmorland County Council.

  • Westmorland (England). County Council.
Date:
1900
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1900] / Medical Officer of Health, Westmorland County Council. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    3/20 (page 3)
    FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. THE COMMITTEE have much pleasure in presenting to the subscribers their first Annual Report. It will be remembered that the Institution was opened by the Earl of Derby on March 8th, 1900, the first patients being received on March 17th. Our further experience of the site chosen at Meathop for carrying out the open air treatment, confirms the favourable opinion expressed in our original circular, and the results so far obtained are not only most encouraging, but amply justify us in asking for a continuance of support. It was explained in the appeal made a year ago, that the Institution was for the poorer classes of Westmorland, and only for those in the early stage of disease. Notwithstanding this, letters have been received from all parts of the country applying for admission of cases, both paying and otherwise, plainly showing the eagerness with which this system of treatment is now sought after, and how inadequate is the provision for dealing with such cases. As regards the stage of disease, it cannot be too strongly urged that the Institution is for the EARLIER STAGES ONLY; the admission of advanced cases can only lead to disappointment, and bring discredit upon the system. Our experience (as yet, of course, limited) distinctly proves this point, as will be seen by reference to the Medical Officer’s Report. Almost the only cases which have not received sub¬ stantial benefit during their stay, have been those somewhat too advanced on admission. When a Sanatorium of this kind is opened in any County, it is only natural, during the early months of trial, that the well known (generally advanced) cases should be those first applying for admission, and there is some difficulty in refusing these, especially if a district, owning a free bed, can produce no other than an advanced case. As experience is gained, however, and everyone becomes alive to the importance of treating consumption in the early stage, when almost certain success may be expected, this difficulty will diminish. Had we confined our attention solely to such early cases, our results would have appeared even more favourable than they are, as may be seen by reference to class C. in the Medical Report, although the great improvement in many patients of Classes A. and B. is very satisfactory. Soon after the Institution was opened, it became absolutely necessary to increase the accommodation, as more beds were subscribed for than we could place in the wards. Three wooden sleeping shelters were therefore erected, and during the greater part of the past half-year 18 patients have been in residence. It may be of interest to mention that the patients who sleep in the outside shelters, far from disliking their quarters, in most cases prefer them to the wards. It is satisfactory to note that our Sanatorium is being quoted in various places as an object lesson : (1) as being the first