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18
The Autumn of 1962, unlike the previous two years, was cold and wet, culminating in the
smog incident in early December. Fortunately, it was not as cold as the Autumn of 1952, so that
the Ministry was able to congratulate itself that the death figures were lower. However, in spite
of the efforts of local authorities under the Clean Air Act and the assumption that the removal of
grit from the air would in some way prevent the onset of temperature inversions and hence disperse
the SO2 the figures for this highly dangerous pollutant were as high as ever and, in some areas,
above the 1952 figure. Since there is no known method of preventing temperature inversions in the
London area, the only alternative is to remove the sulphur oxides from the air. The investigation
of this problem has not yet been seriously attempted. Until this is done, we shall see repetitions
of the December 1962 episode with an increase in the number of deaths from bronchitis and also in
the older tuberculous patients (26 this year as compared with 9 in 1961).
During the smog period, the air-conditioned in-patient unit at the Western Hospital was more
than fully occupied and this area of London enjoyed the usual period of RED WARNING by the
Emergency Bed Service, when most hospitals stop everything and admit only chest cases. How
much longer will the public put up with this scandalous state of affairs each winter. It requires a
determined effort by the Central Authorities (i) to halt the closure of chest hospital beds in the
whole of the London area and particularly on the fringe and immediately outside. They could be
used for other conditions during the summer months. The availability of beds in the peripheral
hospitals would enable the rapid transfer of chest patients out of the polluted air of London and
thus free urgently needed general medical beds in the Central area; (ii) all hospitals in the
London area treating patients with respiratory disease require to be air-conditioned; (iii) the
priority rehousing of patients over 45 years of age to the fringe boroughs and new towns outside
London. This action alone would prevent at least 50% from becoming potential hospital patients
each winter.
SMOKING AND LUNG DISEASE
There is a welcome fall in the number of deaths during the year from lung-eancer, but this
should not be an excuse for relaxation in our efforts to help those who are addicted to this habitforming
drug - tobacco. The National figures are continuing to rise faster each year and we are
approaching the time when 30,000 will die annually and unnecessarily. The frustrations encountered
by the Fulham Council in their efforts to increase their propaganda against smoking with its
clear indication of the strength of the financial interests ranged against the public health and
safety of the individual is clear for all who want to see.
In conjunction with the L.C.C. it is hoped to open a special clinic for smokers in the near
future. Every effort should be made by all concerned to persuade relations and friends who are in
the grip of this modern drug addiction to come along and get rid of their habit before it is too late.
This is extremely important, especially in view of the falling age incidence in lung cancer. It is
no longer a disease entirely of old age; the 30/40 age group is producing more and more deaths,
REPORT FROM THE SOUTH WEST LONDON MASS X-RAY SERVICE
(SUPPLIED BY COURTESY OP DR. P A NASH MEDICAL DIRECTOR)
The headquarters of the South West London X-Ray Service, which operates three mobile
chest X-Ray Units, is situated at the Western Hospital, Seagrave Road, Fulham, where a regular
one day a week service for the public is provided continuously throughout the year. This centre
is open to everyone over the age of fifteen irrespective of where they work and/or live, and
people from all parts of South West London attend there, including a great number of residents of
the Borough of Fulham. No appointments are required for attendance at this centre, which is open
from 2 - 4 p.m. and from 5 - 7 p.m. on Wednesdays. In addition to those who come as private
individuals, many patients are referred there by General Practitioners in Fulham. Employees of
local firms and organisations also attend in organised parties by arrangement of the Managements
concerned. Ante-Natal patients and children between the ages of 6 and 7 are also x-rayed here