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In 1940 the number of X-ray examinations conducted of Dispensary
patients was 1410, whilst the Tuberculosis Officer performed 877 artificial pneumothorax
refill treatments at the St. Giles' Hospital Clinic. There were also 586
refill treatments carried out at various other hospitals in London during this
year.
In 1942 a re-arrangement of the Tuberculosis work of the Borough followed
on the release for military service of the Tuberculosis Officer and Deputy Medical
Officer of Health. To assist the Assistant Tuberculosis Officer, the Council of
the neighbouring Borough of Southwark approved the loan of the services of
their Tuberculosis Officer for the purpose of conducting one clinic session weekly
at the Camberwell Dispensary and to undertake the Artificial Pneumothorax
Clinics at the Southwark Health Centre on Wednesday afternoons and evenings.
The London County Council also arranged for the interpretation by their
own radiologist of the X-ray films taken at St. Giles' Hospital three times a week.
The general arrangements proved very satisfactory and made possible the maintenance
of the Tuberculosis Service of the Council at an efficient level.
In 1944 the Council were invited to make use of the Mass Miniature Radiography
Unit for the detection of pulmonary tuberculosis which the London County
Council were arranging to establish for a period of two months at the South-
Eastern Hospital for the benefit of industrial workers in the Borough. The
Council accepted the offer and were able to arrange for the examination of 1,123
men and 867 women volunteers drawn from a variety of employments in the
Borough.
Of the number examined, 11 males and 7 females were reported on as
probably suffering from tuberculosis. In 1946 this Unit was again made available
for a period of three months and on this occasion of the 1,506 men and 1,310
women who submitted themselves for examination, 8 men and 12 women were
found to be probably suffering from tuberculosis.
On the return of the Tuberculosis Officer from the Services in 1946, the
temporary arrangements made for the conduct of the work of the Dispensary
during his absence were terminated and patients were once more sent to St. Giles
Hospital for X-ray examinations, the interpretation of the films being undertaken'
as formerly by the Tuberculosis Officer. Artificial pneumothorax clinics were
also conducted at the Dispensary.
As a result of the increase in the number of X-ray examinations, the Council,
in the following year, made arrangements with the London County Council and
King's College Hospital Governors for the facilities of the X-ray department
at Dulwich and King's College Hospitals respectively to be made available for
use of the Tuberculosis Dispensary. An X-ray screening apparatus was also
installed at the Dispensary in the same year as a diagnostic aid in the detection
of tuberculosis.
A reference to the statistics shows how this dread disease which was once
rampant and claimed victims in large numbers at all ages has declined during the
past quarter of a century. It will be seen that the mortality figures show a progressive
decline and one is consequently forced to ask oneself these questions:—
(a) Can this figure be further reduced and how ?
(b) Should tuberculosis be regarded like other infectious diseases and steps
be taken to prevent tubercle bacilli from being transferred from infectious
persons to other healthy members of the community at home
and at work?