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From the table of new cases of tuberculosis notified over the
past three years, it would appear that the numbers are definitely
declining. It must be pointed out, however, that it would be most
unwise to draw any lasting conclusions from figures which cover
such a short period and such a comparatively small number of cases.
We know that the incidence of tuberculosis is declining
throughout the country as a whole. More important still, there is
abundant evidence that the previous terrors very properly associated
with tuberculosis have largely disappeared Early diagnosis,
the use of the newer antibiotics, and the greater availability of
beds in sanatoria and hospitals have contributed to this very
happy result, None the less it need scarcely be said that everything
possible must still be done to reduce the incidence and
spread of tuberculosis throughout the population Indeed, it would
now appear that the pendulum has tended to swing in the opposite
direction, and that the rapid cures so often effected in the case
of tuberculosis have produced what is almost a nonchalant attitude
towards the disease This is very wrong Tuberculosis can still
be a killing and incapacitating disease, which takes its toll year
by year, month by month, from all age groups of the population.
May I conclude my remarks on tuberculosis generally by making
a special appeal for the rehousing of families in which an open
case of tuberculosis is known to exist, and where the accommodation
is such as to favour the spread of the disease to other members
of the family I am fully aware of the great difficulties which
confront the Council and the Housing Committee in the provision
of adequate housing accommodation I also appreciate that housing
needs are by no means confined to tuberculous families The needs
of the tuberculous patient on the other hand are not the only
desideratum If the family of a tuberculous patient occupies
premises which are overcrowded, the risk of the infection spreading
is greatly Increased indeed, no one can foresee what the
effect of such a situation will ultimately be. It is of paramount
importance that the rehousing of families in which a case of
tuberculosis occurs, especially where the patient continues to
live at home, should be granted high priority, not only on humanitarian
grounds but from the epidemologieal standpoint. In this
connection I am fully conscious that the Housing Committee has in
the past always given most sympathetic consideration to such
representations as I have made and would express my sincere gratitude
for the action taken
Mass Radiography
Mass Radiography Unit 6A once again visited Wood Green between
11th and 27th September, 1956, for the purpose of X-raying members
of the public, factory groups, special groups and senior school
children. Leaflets were prepared by the Unit and distributed by
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