London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Greenwich 1947

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Greenwich Borough]

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82
From the accompanying table it will be seen that there are 73
chronic infectious cases at home—apart from those awaiting admission
to hospitals. Special precautions have to be taken to prevent
infection of those who come into contact with these patients. In
33 homes where there is a case of chronic Pulmonary Tuberculosis
there are children under the age of 16 years. In these 33 homes there
is a total of 73 children constantly exposed to tuberculous infection—
of whom 10 were actually infected and showed signs of tuberculous
disease during the year 1947 ; of these 10 children who were infected
4 died. This is a very great problem. The steps taken to minimise
this danger are :—
1. Rehousing under ideal conditions with adequate
dation for the segregation of the infectious case.
2. The education of the patient in the principles of hygiene.
3. The use of sleeping shelters.
4. Regular medical examination of all contacts, and their
constant supervision by the health visitors.

Analysis of chronic cases at home.

At workNot working
Male1140
Female22
Totals1162

Certain special methods of treatment are used in cases of
tuberculosis of the lungs.
In suitable cases artificial pneumothorax is the most successful
form of treatment. In a small number of cases phrenic nerve
interuption combined with pneumoperitoneum is used.
During 1947 there were attending the clinic:—
45 patients with unilateral A.P.
9 „ „ bilateral A.P.
9 „ „ pneumoperitoneum
1 ,, „ combined pneumoperitoneum and A.P
64
In all 1,391 refills were performed during the year.