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The corresponding figures for previous years are :—
1949 2,127
1950 2,238
1951 2,443
1952 2,575
Tuberculosis Care Committees
Although the responsibility for care work has passed under the National Health
Service Act, 1946, to the London County Council as the local health authority, the
Islington Tuberculosis Care Committee remains in being, working in conjunction with
the Islington Chest Clinics at the Royal Northern and Royal Chest Hospitals, and
members of the Borough Council and the Medical Officer of Health serve on the
Islington Tuberculosis Care Committee and the Divisional Health Committee for the
co-ordination of care work in the three Boroughs of Islington, Finsbury and Holborn.
Loans of bedding or medical appliances were made to 19 patients ; others have been
referred to various organisations for assistance.
I am indebted to Dr. B. E. A. Sharpe, Divisional Medical Officer, London
County Council, for the 1953 figures in connection with vaccination, diphtheria
and whooping cough inoculations, and chest clinics.
Tuberculosis—Mass X-Ray Unit of the North West Metropolitan Regional
Hospital Board
The Static Mass X-Ray Unit at 32 Drayton Park, continued to function during
the year. At the end of the Unit's first working year 1952/53, approximately 20,000
Islington persons had been examined. The proportion of pulmonary tuberculosis
cases found has been high relative to the expectation in London.
There is no doubt that a considerable number of persons are now undergoing
treatment as a result of a visit to the Unit who would otherwise have delayed
considerably in obtaining medical advice. It has therefore been found possible to
institute treatment much earlier in many cases with consequent benefit to the patient,
a shorter period of treatment, and better hope of ultimate cure. Further, the early
detection and treatment of such persons has also benefited those with whom the
patients are in contact, since many of them would otherwise have been infectious
cases to those around them.
In order to attract further attention to the work of the Unit, the Regional
Hospital Board, in conjunction with the Borough Council, arranged for the holding
of a Tuberculosis Conference in the Town Hall, which was opened by His Worship
the Mayor. The Chair was taken by Alderman Lygoe, and the principal speakers
were Mr. Maurice Hackett, Chairman of the Tuberculosis Committee of the Regional
Board, and Dr. G. Z. Brett, of the Mass X'Ray Unit. A considerable number of
representatives of varied local interests were present.
There is no doubt that the Mass X-Ray Unit has carried out a public health
function of the utmost importance and interest to the Borough.
Bacteriological Examinations
As from 1st December, 1953, arrangements were made for the examination of
all bacteriological specimens submitted to the Public Health Department, to be
carried out by The Public Health Laboratory Service, The County Hall, S.E.1.