The Boston Consumptives' Hospital Dispensary, centrally located, is open every morning and one or two evenings a week. Three or four nurses are on duty in the clinic each morning, taking histories, attending nose and throat room and preparing patients for examination. At the dispensary only a medical history of new patients is taken, the social history being obtained by the nurse on her first visit to the home. Pulse, temperature and weight are also taken at the dispensary, after which the patient waits his turn for examination. Each new patient is given an examination in the nose and throat room; old patients also, if necessary. After examination or treatment, all patients return to the general waiting room. From here each patient is called before the Chief of Clinic, who notes the general progress of the patient, the results of the last examination
or any remarks recorded by the physician, and the report of home conditions as reported by the nurse. The Chief of Clinic advises the patient in accordance with the needs indicated. He makes no examinations, but sees each patient every time he comes to the clinic and is thus able to follow very carefully the progress of each patient and to advise such changes in treatment as may seem necessary.
The city is divided into twenty-two districts, each nurse being responsible for the care of all tuberculous patients in her district. The number of patients cared for by each nurse is from 100 to 180. A very small percentage of bedside care is given; far advanced patients as a rule are sent to hospitals.
Boston tuberculosis nurses do not wear uniforms. They are paid $900 a year, with no increase for length of service or efficiency.
BUFFALO
The purpose of the Buffalo Association for the Relief and Control of Tuberculosis has been to stimulate progress in fighting tuberculosis. It very modestly shares with the city officials and with private charities the credit for the work accomplished. All it claims for itself is that it has been able, and will continue, to "point the way." How thoroughly it has succeeded in this may be seen by the progress made since 1909 when the Buffalo Association made its first appeal for funds. At that time Buffalo had:
(1) A dispensary maintained by the Buffalo Charity Organization Society.
(2) The Erie County Hospital for advanced cases.
(3) A day camp, with a capacity of thirty patients, supported by a group of women.
(4) One visiting nurse supplied by the District Nursing Association.