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therefore be seen that some difficulty may arise in the interpretation
of the second provision, as the possibility of a large
number of cases, more or less of chronic type, might have to be
excluded as well as thos of non-pulmonary disease (which is
specified in the memorandum).
The Tuberculosis Officer has to give the medical "verdict"
and in Fulham cases have always been dealt with in as lenient a
manner as possible, whilst still carrying out the intention of
the memorandum and-actually no real difficulty appears to have
been experienced.
In assessing the value of this allowance scheme after
about 18 months of its operation the opinion may be expressed
that not only are the allowances on the meagre side in comparison
with Public Assistance, but that the scheme should be considerably
widened to include all cases. As a wartime measure it is undoubtedly
a big step in the right direction and no doubt full consideration
on the lines indicated above will be given to the betterment of
the scheme in post war reconstruction.
Miniature Mass Radiography. A further new development of
preventive medicine was inaugurated early in 1944, when the
London County Council miniture mass radiography unit carried out
the first periodic survey at St. Luke's Hospital (Chelsea) Centre.
This was within easy distance of the Borough of Fulham and a total
of sixteen hundred ana seventy-six individuals employed in the
area were dealt with at the centre. From this unit (and from
other centres operating elsewhere towards the end of the year)
thirty cases were sent to the Tuberculosis Officer for further
investigation and a total of one hundred attendances were made at
the Dispensary, nine cases eventually being notified as suffering
from tuberculosis.
In accordance with instructions this Report is prepared
on the lines of that for 1943 and is therefore in an abbreviated
form, though some restrictions relating to vital statistics
which were previously imposed have now been lifted.
I have the honour to be,
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
P.L.T. BENNETT
M.C., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., T.D.D., D.P.H.
Medical Officer of Health.