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provided they have been sent by their clinic or doctor, and that a previous appointment has been
made for them. Children aged 8 to 14 can be brought to the public sessions if referred by a doctor.
In 1962, 15,000 people were x-rayed at this centre of whom 5,485 were sent by their own
doctors. Figures relating to cases discovered are not kept separately for this centre or for those
attending from the Borough of Fulham, but it may be of interest to know that in the year under
review 99,000 Mass X-Ray examinations were carried out by the Mass X-Ray Units in South
West London. As a result of these examinations, 317 cases were referred to chest clinics with
radiological abnormalities suggestive of clinically significant tuberculosis, and 111 cases were
referred which were suggestive of neoplasm requiring further investigation. In addition 253 other
examinees were found to have significant abnormalities. The Ante-Natal clinics in the borough
make frequent use of the special large film service provided for their patients at the Western
Hospital Mass X-Ray Centre. Arrangements are also made through the Divisional Medical Officer
for parties of school children to be brought here for an x-ray examination if they are positive
reactors to the tuberculin skin tests given in connection with the London County Council B.C.G.
innoculation scheme.
The mobile Unit made 14 visits to firms and organisations in Fulham including two food
factories and the Lord Roberts Workshops. Ten Fulham firms and organisations are co-operating
in the South London six-monthly chest x-ray service by allowing their male employees, who are,
over 45 years of age to attend the mobile unit, which visits their premises twice a year. This
service was started in 1958 to provide regular chest x-ray examinations for this section of the
population, in an effort to detect more cases of lung cancer in the earlier stages of the disease;
and 18,000 men are being x-rayed six-monthly under this scheme. It is used by many men in the
older age groups, who live in Fulham, and who receive appointments to attend regularly at the
Western Hospital Mass X-Ray Centre. Any men over 45 who wish to be included in this service can
obtain a leaflet and all particulars on application to the South West London Mass X-Ray Service
at the Western Hospital, or by attending the Mass X-Ray Service on any Wednesday during the
time stated above.
Although tremendous advances have been made in the last ten years, the fight to eliminate
tuberculosis is by no means finished. It is true according to the last figures published by the
Ministry of Health that the number of new cases notified, which was 49,000 in 1950, fell to 23,605
in 1960, and in the same period deaths from pulmonary tuberculosis decreased from 10,000 to
3,105, but while the figures for new cases and deaths remain as high as this, it is important that
the subject of tuberculosis should notbe overshadowed in the public mind by spectacular diseases
of greater 'news value', which occur quite infrequently, and in comparison cause a regrettable but
very small number of deaths. The South West London Mass X-Ray Units take the opportunity again
this year of inviting all citizens in the Borough of Fulham to make full use of this service, and
thereby safeguard the health of themselves, their families and those with whom they work.