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33
REPORT OF CONSULTANT PHYSICIAN
CHEST DEPARTMENT, ST. GILES' HOSPITAL
As a result of a change of policy by the South-East.
Metropolitan Regional Board, the X-ray apparatus, together
with the Odelca camera for the taking of miniature chest
films, was transferred from the department, the large set
going to the General Practitioner Centre in Queen's Road
and the camera to the main X-ray department of the
hospital. There was therefore an alteration in function
of the department with a concurrent further falling-off
of the number of patients seen. Total attendances, 8,604,
showed a fall of 1,205, but there was only a slight fall
of 91 in the number of new patients who had clinical
examinations, the figures being 1,658 in 1962 and 1,567
in 1963. One hundred and seventeen patients were admitted
to St. Giles' Hospital and 34 to other hospitals in the
region for treatment of their non-tuberculous conditions.
One hundred and six patients, compared with 101 in 1962,
we re admitted to sanatoria for investigation and treatment
of tuberculous disease. There was a further reduction in
numbers on the tuberculosis register, there being 899
cases of pulmonary tuberculosis in 1962 and 845 in 1963.
Cases of non-pulmonary disease showed only a very slight
fall from 46 to 43.
The very low death rate for tuberculosis experienced
in 1962 of 6 men and 2 women was maintained, the corresponding
figures in 1963 being 6 men and 3 women.
Six hundred and fifty four babies born in the wards
of St. Giles' Hospital received B.C.G. vaccination
compared with 458. This latter figure was low in 1962
because of the smallpox scare from January to May. Two
hunderd and fourteen contacts and schoolchildren were
v accinated with B.C.G. bacillus.
The mild winter undoubtedly made a difference to the
number of patients referred to the department, but
unfortunately the number of patients with cancer of the
lung shows no signs of decreasing. More cases have to be
r eferred for radiotherapy, or to Grove Park Hospital for
treatment with special drugs because the condition is too
far advanced for surgical excision. There has also been a
steady increase in the number of women patients with
c ancer of the lung. Bronchitis was not as great a problem
is during the previous winter.