2. Any assistance needed to ensure for the patient
(a) Skilled medical attendance and nursing as required while he is treated at home;
(b) Institutional treatment when required;
(c) Supplementation of the convalescent patient’s funds, when needed, to obviate the necessity for him at once to embark in full-time work; to provide additional bedroom accommodation when needed; and to ensure that the patient and his family are not undernourished or overworked.
3. Remedial action for any insanitary conditions of the home, such as uncleanliness, dampness, overcrowding; or of the patient’s workplace, especially for dusty occupations.
4. Examination of home contacts with the patient.
The last named item may conveniently be considered further at this point.
Examination of Contacts
This branch of tuberculosis work is most important. Often the first notified case is not the first clinical case of tuberculosis in a given family; and from the standpoint of prevention the detection of such cases of longer standing is important. Examination of contacts also frequently discovers patients in an earlier and more curable stage of disease than the notified patient.
It is important that all home contacts of each notified case of tuberculosis should be examined; and one of the most important functions of the tuberculosis officer is to arrange for this. The examination may be carried out by arrangement at the tuberculosis dispensary; but otherwise, at the home of the invaded family. When there is a medical practitioner in attendance his coöperation and presence should as a rule be invited.