Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Annual report of the Medical Officer of Health for the year 1925
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lungs and carcinoma. A definite opinion can thus be
given in many cases whose diagnosis would otherwise
remain doubtful, and effective treatment can be commenced
earlier both in the tubercular and non-tubercular
cases. X-ray examinations are also essential
in the pneumothorax treatment of tuberculosis and
other diseases of the lungs.
The arrangement of having the X-ray work done
at Brompton Hospital is the best and most economical
one at the present time and ensures that the work is
done by a radiologist of great experience in diseases
of the chest. The disadvantages are the distance of
the Hospital from Fulham and the fact that patients
may have to wait for over a week for an appointment.
The ideal arrangement would be to have a radiological
department somewhere in Fulham, if not actually at
the Dispensary. This, of course, is out of the question
at the present time on account of the initial cost and
cost of upkeep. In all probability the reform of the
Poor Law System will permit of increased facilities
for X-ray examination and other scientific methods
and will also facilitate co-operation between the various
medical and surgical units in the neighbourhood.
The London County Council Scheme for
Boarding out Children.
Arrangements were made early in the year by the
London County Council in co-operation with the Invalid
Children's Aid Association for the boarding out of
children living in overcrowded and heavily infected
homes in which a father, mother or other person was
dying of pulmonary tuberculosis. The scheme came
into operation on the 1st April, 1925, and is to continue
as an experiment for twelve months from that date.
Its primary object is to remove healthy children from
danger of infection during the most infectious period
of the patient's illness. This, however, is not the only
object of the scheme as the Council also board out
" children who are being discharged from sanatorium
treatment and whose homes are unsuitable and inimical