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189
Very many patients have attended the Clinic for investigation
and treatment of non-tuberculous chest diseases including neoplasm
of the lung, bronchitis and asthma. Forty patients with carcinoma
of the lung have been diagnosed of which a few have had surgical
treatment at the Brook Hospital, but the majority have been unfit
for surgery and have been treated with radiotherapy as a palliative
measure or symptomatic treatment only. Twenty-one have died.
The prevention of lung disability resulting from bronchitis and
asthma is important and every effort is being made to do this.
Those who have already become disabled as a result of these various
chest conditions have many problems, mainly of a social nature. It
is important that these patients are suitably housed away from
dampness and atmospheric pollution and it is hoped that when
more houses become available it will be possible to rehouse those
early cases of chest disease as this might prevent them from becoming
worse. Many of those who are disabled would be able to
continue at work provided some sheltered employment was available,
but unfortunately it is very difficult to find suitable work of
this nature.