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The two other cases were males, one aged 10, dying in a
Throat Hospital after an anaesthetic for operation on lupus of the
palate, and another, aged 56, who died in a municipal hospital
elsewhere of tuberculous renal disease.
Details of the work done at the Tuberculosis Dispensary are
set out on page 33, and there has been no material change in this
work during the year.
Radiological examinations have slightly increased and
facilities in this direction are of the utmost importance in enabling
the Tuberculosis Officers to effect a diagnosis at the earliest
possible moment. It is now commonly recognised that X-ray
examination can reveal traces of disease at a stage earlier than
that at which it is evident on physical examination. Particularly
is this the case amongst contacts who have been exposed to
infection. One can maintain, with truth, therefore, that an
early radiological examination may be the means of saving life,
for tuberculosis, in all its forms, is a disease which can be cured if
treatment is commenced at the proper time.
Radiological examination is also essential for the proper
control of artificial pneumothorax treatment. This form of
treatment, in which the lung is rested or immobilised by a
" splint " of air around it, has been maintained by the Tuberculosis
Officers on patients after return from sanatoria, and during
the year 654 refills were given.
The following table shows the present condition of patients
who have had this form of treatment. The small figures in
brackets indicate the number of patients, in each group, in whom
the disease was already bilateral when the, treatment was started.
Cases started during 1934 are not shown in the table.