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West London Hospital - Martha & Luke Clinic
I am indebted to Dr. J.L.Fluker for the following Report:-
The total number of attendances at the clinic have again increased from 6,900 in 1966
to 7,621 in 1967.
What is slightly disturbing is that the major part of the increase occurred towards the end of
the year, that in the Autumn quarter being no less than 617% and although outside the scope of
report, the increase in the first quarter of 1968 has been 20%. This is considerably in excess of
the National figures. There was a slight decline in the incidence of infectious syphilis, from 115
to 107 cases, though in women it rose from 16 to 20. This tendance to decrease was reversed at
the end of the year, and suggests that there are a number of lost cases going around, particularly
amongst male homosexuals and we are in consultation with the Albany Trust as to the best methods
of disseminating suitable educational material for these people.
The total number of cases of syphilis at all stages was unchanged at 162. The incidence of
gonorrhoea rest from 1626 to 2041. Respective figures for males and females being 1,444 and 597135 girls were under 20 and 109 boys. There were 8 under 16. There were 5 cases of vulva vaginitis in young girls and one of ophthalmia neonatorum. That the number of the last-mentioned was
not considerably higher is probably due to my weekly sessions at the ante-natal clinic at Hammersmith where 25 cases of unsuspected gonorrhoea, which was mostly symptomless, were discovered
by me and treated. The fact that half the women infected with gonorrhoea are symptomless cannot
be over emphasised. There is no doubt that it is a major public health problem at the present time.
The number of patients with other conditions rose from 5,005 to 5,387. Nongonococcal
urethritis in the male increasing from 1244 to 1347. 2399 miscellaneous conditions, most but not
all sexually transmitted, required treatment within the centre and there were 1530 who did not require any treatment, 1015 males and 515 females. In the previous year this figure was 1397. In
1965 this figure was 1284, so it is difficult to say if the educational campaign in the Borough has
had any direct effect on what is almost a continuous increase over the years. At the same time, it
must be remembered that it was aimed at, primarily, children. It was, undoubtedly, very successful
at that time, but this success must be judged as to whether adequate instruction is now given in
the schools in the Borough as these diseases, as a group, are becoming almost as common as
measles and exceed in incidence any other infectious disease. It is clear that people should
know more about them, particularly as improved contraceptive methods, while reducing incidence
of illegitimate births are likely indirectly to favour a further increase in the infection rate. It is
also of interest to note that more professional people from social group 1 in males attend than
from groups 4 & 5. The overwhelming preponderance is from persons of social groups 3 & 2. They
are therefore, very widely disseminated throughout society and we still face the constant barrage
of complaints from patients that so little is done educationally in their school days.
J.L. FLUKER,
Director
Special Clinic.
Hurlingham Lodge Hostel.
In common with two other hostels in Inner London, Hurlingham Lodge provides accommodation for homeless infective ambulant tuberculous men not requiring nursing. The intention is to
provide the resident with a sense of security in having a home with regular good meals, laundry
and sympathetic companionship. The community derives advantages from segregating, as far as
practicable, these infective tuberculous persons from the danger of close and frequent contact with
susceptible individuals.
Residents who are fit to work are encouraged to find employment through the Disablement
Resettlement Officer of the local office of the Ministry of Labour. Residents are also encouraged
to be on the list of a local general practitioner, who visits the hostel regularly and is available
in the ordinary way. He is also expected to maintain health surveillance of the staff.
Recommendations for admission are received from Chest Physicians of Chest Clinics in the
London Boroughs and from hospitals in and outside London. The Medical Officer of Health of the
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