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Contacts.
The numbers of contacts of cases of tuberculosis seen at chest
clinics show some increase but this is not necessarily of any
significance since it is dependant upon the sizes of the families
concerned. A high positivity rate is normally expected in this group
and is about the same level.
1966
1965
Number skin-tested and read 305 288
Number found negative 141 137
Number given BCG vaccination 144 130
Number found positive 164 151
Students.
Dr. W. Hartston, a Principal Medical Officer of the Inner London
Education Authority visited a college for the purpose of skin-testing
and vaccinating adolescent students and staff. He reported that
nearly five hundred persons attended, and that among the students the
positivity rate was 45% and among staff of higher average age, 69%.
A relatively high rate of reversion (7%) from acquired tuberculin
sensitivity was discovered among students who had previously been
vaccinated at some time within the previous ten years and these persons
were revaccinated with half the normal dosage of BCG vaccine.
Students not
previously
vaccinated
Staff not
previously
vaccinated
Number skin-tested and read 181 120
Number with negative
reactions and vaccinated 101 38
Number of positive reactors 80 82
MASS RADIOGRAPHY.
The Central Mass X-ray Centre at the Western Hospital, S.W.6.,
together with the South West and North West London Mass X-ray
Services continued to provide chest X-ray facilities for the borough
during the year.
Mobile units made fifteen visits to various large establishments
within the borough, in addition to the weekly visits made by a unit
to Raymede Welfare Clinic.
In the year under review, a total of 119,000 people was examined
by the X-ray units. 180 cases of active pulmonary tuberculosis were
referred to Chest Clinics for treatment, and 85 of these cases were
found to be infectious. In addition, 181 cases of tuberculosis were
detected requiring occasional out-patient supervision only.
122 malignant neoplasms were discovered, of which 117 were primary
carcinomas, and a further 896 cases were dealt with under the heading
"non-tuberculous conditions" which were referred for further
investigation and necessary treatment. (Kensington and Chelsea
residents are included in these figures, but separate details for
individual boroughs are not available).