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Disinfection was carried out whenever thought advisable and on
request.
There were fifteen deaths from pulmonary tuberculosis as follows:
Males: 72, 71, 70(2), 69(2), 64, 62, 59, 58, 52 and 45.
Females: 85, 62 and 28.
There were no deaths from Non-Pulmonary tuberculosis.
I should like to acknowledge the willing co-operation and facilities
for the inter-change of information which have been provided by
the Chest Physician, Dr. W. D. R. Thompson, and his staff.
Finsbury Chest Clinic
(Information kindly provided by Dr. W. D. R. Thompson, Chest Physician).
At the end of the war when there had been some dislocation of the
service due to persons being displaced after bombing, a revision of
the register became necessary. This entailed much visiting and
correspondence. Only active cases were retained on the register
although healed patients were kept under observation.
The treatment of tuberculosis was retarded at that time and up to
1952 by long waiting lists for in-patient treatment-nine months was
the rule. Another aggravating factor was the prevalence of poor
housing and overcrowding.
Early in 1950 a miniature mass radiography unit came into operation,
based at the Health Centre with the Chest Physician as Medical
Director. This added considerably to the diagnostic facilities
available.
On the 5th July 1948 the chest clinic became part of the North
East Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board under the administrative
control of the Central Group (No.5) Hospital Management Committee,
Changes have taken place in the treatment of Pulmonary Tuberculosis.
After the war chest specialists recommended more frequently
thoracoplasty operations and superseded artificial pneumothorax by
pneumoperitoneum combined with phrenic crush. Later the introduction
of antibiotics and chemotherapy became routine and section of the lung
for tubercle and other pathological conditions followed, giving the
chest clinic added interest and responsibility.