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addition to that given by the Mass Miniature Radiography Unit,
which is only in the Borough of Camberwell for limited periods.
Another scheme which has recently been started, in conjunction
with Dr. H. D. Chalke, Divisional Medical Officer of the
London County Council, is to attempt to X-ray all women
attending the Ante-Natal Clinics. These X-rays are read by the
Chest Physician and if any abnormality is detected the doctor at
the Ante-Natal Clinic is informed and the patient is asked to
attend the Chest Clinic for examination.
A revision of a large number of cases has led to an alteration
in the diagnosis and as a result several patients already under
observation at the Clinic have been notified. Similarly, many
patients on the register were considered to have " arrested
disease " and their names were removed.
As a result of all these factors primary notifications for
tuberculosis totalled 377 pulmonary and 23 non-pulmonary
cases and the register changed from 2030 to 2148.
The chances of recovery are greatly enhanced by early
treatment and this is shown in the decrease in the number of
deaths from tuberculosis which amounted to 48 as compared
with 56 during the previous year. Deaths from non-pulmonary
tuberculosis also showed a decrease from 9 in 1951 to 4 during
the year under review.
The waiting period for admission to hospital or sanatorium
is still very long and this has led to an increase in the amount of
treatment carried out in the home. With the help of the District
Nursing Association and the Ranyard Nurses it has been possible
to give chemotherapy to patients at home. Since the introduction
of other anti-tuberculosis drugs, such as I.N.A.H. which can
be taken by mouth in conjunction with P.A.S., it will be possible
to extend this service. Collapse therapy, instituted at the
Clinic and maintained on patients brought weekly to the Clinic
by ambulance is a limited measure, but it was thought to be
worthwhile in three cases.
There has been a very satisfactory co-operation between
the Council's Director of Housing, Mr. F. O. Hayes, and the
Clinic with regard to the allocation of priorities to patients with
pulmonary tuberculosis. The Chest Physician, and more
especially the Health Visitors on his staff, are continually
indebted to the Sanitary Inspectors for their reports and recommendations
about the housing of patients known to the Clinic.
It is known that almost as many cases of infection due to
pulmonary tuberculosis occur at work as occur in the home.
When a Camberwell patient works in another Borough, the Chest
Physician has made arrangements whereby the Medical Officer
of Health of that Borough is told when the case is notified. It