Rushden Research Group: Health - Sanatorium Report for 1947

Transcribed by Greville Watson, November 2010

Northamptonshire County Council
Annual Report
of the
MEDICAL OFFICER of HEALTH
FOR THE YEAR 1947

[Extract]

Sanatorium Report

The number of beds available for patients with respiratory tuberculosis was 80 ; 43 for males and 37 for females. 7 patients were admitted for clinical investigation, 6 were discharged as non-tuberculous and one was found to be suffering from respiratory tuberculosis.

There were 150 admissions of patients, 77 male, and 73 female, and 135 were discharged, 66 male, and 69 female. Deaths in the Sanatorium numbered 14, 10 male and 4 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:

Tuberculour pleural effusion		9

Bacteriologically negative		43

Bacteriologically positive, stage I		5

Bacteriologically positive, stage II		71

Bacteriologically positive, stage III		13

Non-respiratory :	Other Organs	1
	Abdominal	1

Observation cases		7

Treatment was sufficient in 61 cases to bring the disease to quiescence. Of the patients admitted with a positive sputum 25 were negative on discharge. The average length of stay was 164.34 days.

Laboratory Work

The following pathological specimens were examined in connection with the treatment carried out at the Sanatorium:

Sputum:
	Negative	110
	Positive	129

The examinations 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 : 710 of these examinations were made. Vital Capacity Tests were carried out on 105 patients. Mantoux Tests were carried out on 22 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 2,533, consisting of 2,296 screen examinations and 237 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.

Treatment

This consists of absolute rest for patients with the most active type of disease, substituted for those who have lost their toxaemia by hours up, and later by light graded work.

Artificial Pneumothorax Treatment. Treatment by artificial pneumothorax was continued. There were 46 inductions of artificial pneumothorax and 13 pneumoperitoneum inductions made at the Sanatorium ; 1,318 artificial pneumothorax refills and 399 pneumoperitoneum refills were given. There were 3 pleural wash-outs and 89 aspirations.

Adhesion Section. Three phrenic nerve operations were carried out at the Sanatorium. Thirty patients, 16 male and 14 female, were admitted to Creaton Sanatorium for section of adhesions limiting artificial pneumothorax, thoracoplasties and phrenic nerve operations.

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.

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