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appreciably and the death rate even more rapidly. It is noteworthy
that Greenwich has one of the lowest tuberculosis death
rates of any London borough.
The new notifications in 1956 totalling 78 were 13 less than in
the previous year. The age and sex distribution of these 78 new
notifications was as follows :—
Age Male Female
0— 5 years 2 —
6—15 years 2 —
16—25 years 7 10
26—35 years 9 5
36—45 years 10 4
46—55 years 12 2
56—65 years 3 1
66—75 years 8 1
76 years and over 1 1
54 cases 24 cases
This table illustrates that tuberculosis is a disease of young
adults and middle aged and elderly men.
The sources of these new cases were :—
Referred by own doctor 43 cases
Referred by Mass X-ray Units 23 „
Referred by National Service Medical
Board 1 „
Discovered on routine contact 35 cases
examination 10 „
Discovered on routine ante-natal
Clinic X-rays 1 ,,
It will be seen that 35 cases were discovered by case finding
method. This emphasises the importance of adequate and convenient
X-ray facilities for patients and their relatives and friends,
including the occasional evening session for workers. In addition
close co-operation with the local Mass X-ray Unit is maintained in
order to follow up the patients who are found to have abnormal
X-rays by these units.
The special sessions for Ante-Natal Clinic X-rays started in
1953 has been continued and has been much used by the various
Hospitals, clinics and private doctors concerned with ante-natal
care. 594 women were X-rayed of whom only one was found to
have tuberculosis requiring treatment.