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The number of new notifications of pulmonary tuberculosis was 57,
compared witn 48 last year and 59 in 1947, giving a case rate of 89 per
100,000 population which is 13 more than last year and above the average
for recent years. On the whole, however, this rate does not compare
very unfavourably with previous average rates for this district, bearing
in mind that Mass Radiography, etc., has resulted in the detection of
more cases in their earlier stages. At the same time it should be possible
to reduce this rate if more hospital beds are made available, immunisation
and segregation of contacts is encouraged, and preferential treatment
is given in rehousing and rehabilitation.
The death rate from pulmonary tuberculosis at 64 per 100,000
population was more than double the corresponding rate for 1948, but
the latter was easily the lowest since before the war, hence undue emphasis
should not be laid on this not unexpected swing of the pendulum.
The average death rate during the last 5 years has been 43, compared
with 48 during the war years, and average rates of 72, 57, 36, 38 and 36
for the quinquennial periods 1915-39.
The position with regard to non-pulmonary tuberculosis was just
the reverse of the above, in that decreases occurred both in the case rate
(from 21 in 1948, to 8 in 1949), and in the death rate (from 5, to 3 per
100,000 population). This death rate has definitely tended to decline
for several years.
The Council continues to be responsible for two measures aimed at
combating this disease, viz., rehousing and disinfection, but the County
Council bears the responsibility for all other preventive measures except
the treatment of cases which has passed to the Regional Hospital Boards.
A scheme for the immunisation of certain sections of the population is
being instituted, while it is hoped that more beds for treatment will soon
be made available.
The local Tuberculosis Clinic is held every Monday from 2-4 p.m.
at the Surrey County Council Clinic, 62, Whytecliffe Road, Purley.
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