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The following report and tables of statistics required by the
Ministry of Health are submitted by Dr. Ian S. Thomson, Tuberculosis
Officer and Assistant Medical Officer of Health.
Westminster Tuberculosis Dispensary.
Annual Report, 1930.
At the end of January, 1930, the Tuberculosis Dispensary was transferred
to temporary premises in Monck Street, pending the opening of
the new Dispensary at Ebury Bridge. The transfer was effected without
interruption of the work of the Dispensary and the usual routine has been
continued. A number of old patients did not continue attendance after
the transfer, but these are for the most part cases whose present condition
is fairly good and many of them will probably resume attendance later if
their progress becomes unsatisfactory.
The number of new patients examined by the Tuberculosis Officer
during 1930 was three hundred and forty-one, of whom 251 were considered
definitely tuberculous. In the previous year the number of new cases
was 461 and the figure for 1930 is indeed the lowest on record. This low
figure is primarily due to the small number of cases notified during the
year and the resultant fall in the number of available contact cases. It
was pointed out in last year's report that an unusually severe winter has
a marked effect on the Dispensary work. In 1930 the reverse condition
held, for there was less illness than usual and as a result far fewer cases
were referred for Dispensary observation and diagnosis by practitioners
and School Medical Officers. Although the incidence of Tuberculosis
appears to be falling, the rapidity of fall is probably not nearly so great