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numbers of tuberculous persons moving in and out of the area at frequent
intervals."
Note:— Dr. Rigby refers to the population covered by the Chest Clinics
and not necessarily the population of the Boroughs concerned.
Mass Miniature Radiography.
I append below a report I have received from the Director of the Mass
Radiography Unit:
" No major survey was held in the Borough of Deptford during 1960,
but an interesting innovation came into full operation last year. It had
been felt for a long time that there was a need for a number ot places in
South East London and North Kent where a mass X-ray unit paid regular
weekly visits so that X-ray facilities were always available for General
Practitioners in the area and for others needing urgent X-rays. One of
the first places to be chosen for such a visit was at New Cross General
Hospital and a unit has been operating there successfully every Friday.
In 1960, 3,337 men and 1,572 women, making a total of 4,909 people,
were X-rayed in the Borough, the greatest number being people X-rayed
at New Cross General Hospital, namely 1,800 men and 1,105 women,
making a total of 2,905 people.
Out of the total of 4,909 people, 16 new cases of tuberculosis were
found and of them 9 required close supervision or treatment. Most of
these cases were discovered at New Cross General Hospital.
The unit continued to visit certain training colleges and factories in
the Borough and to carry out its usual precautionary work of X-raying
people at special risk. Among this number were 1,701 men over 45 years
of age, who have joined the Special Service aimed at the early detection
of lung cancer.
It is undoubtedly true that in the Borough there are many thousands
who have never yet been X-rayed, but it is hoped that means will be found
to bring these people to the units and to discover the many cases of
unknown tuberculosis which must exist in the community."