IV. Clinic Reports

1942–1943

Consultations

The total number of attendances at the Clinic consultations during the year was 150 (76 M., 74 F.) as compared with 96 the previous year and 63 and 81 in the years before. Again consultations showed an increase as compared with the previous war years; they were also higher than in any peacetime year. An increase was also shown in the number of patients sent to the Clinic by private doctors, hospitals and emergency hospitals. Our own members continue to send non-paying patients to the Clinic. The numbers affect both the consultations and the waiting list. In regard to consultations it was necessary to introduce appointments for patients coming for consultation in order to equalize the distribution of new cases and so use the consultant's time to the best advantage. In regard to the waiting list a greater degree of selection was applied.

Attendances for treatment were regular, excepting a few patients who had to miss sessions owing to extrinsic difficulties (working overtime, etc.). War-time conditions made it necessary to start treatment as early as 7.15 in the morning and to extend it past 7 p.m., since patients doing war work had difficulties in attending in day-time.

The 150 patients were dealt with as follows:

Diagnosis

The following is the provisional diagnosis of the 81 who were recommended treatment; it is subject to revision after treatment has begun.