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The corresponding figures for previous years are :—
1949 2,127
1950 2,238
1951 2,443
1952 2,575
1953 2,738
1954 2,851
1955 2,751
Tuberculosis Care Committee.
The London County Council is responsible for care work under the National
Health Service Act, 1946, but the Islington Tuberculosis Care Committee remains in
being, working in conjunction with the Islington Chest Clinic, and Members of the
Borough Council and the Medical Officer of Health serve on this Committee. The
Tuberculosis Care Commitfee is able to assist patients in many ways, and the Care
Organiser, reports that an average of 124 cases per quarter were helped with extra
nourishment during the year, while loans of beds and bedding and medical appliances
were made to 29 patients ; others were referred to various organisations for assistance.
Tuberculosis—Mass X-Ray Unit of the North-West Metropolitan Regional Hospital
Board, 32, Drayton Park, N.5.
The Mass X-Ray Unit continues to carry out most useful service in the Borough.
Over 15,000 Islington residents were seen by the Unit, as well as nearly 17,000
non-residents, most of whom work in the Borough. From information kindly
furnished by Dr. G. Z. Brett, Physician-in-Charge of the Unit, the number of cases of
active pulmonary tuberculosis found among Islington residents through the Mass X-Ray
Unit examination was 69 in males, out of a total of 6,630 examined, and 45 females out
of a total of 8,804.
Bacteriological Examinations
All specimens for bacteriological examination dealt with through the Department
are submitted to the Public Health Laboratory Service, County Hall, S.E.I.
Examinations carried out
Total
Swabs (Diphtheria) 166
Sputum (Tuberculosis) 22
Faeces (Enteric Fever) 12
Blood (Enteric Fever) —
Faeces (Food poisoning) 759
Food (Food poisoning) 5
Faeces (Dysentery) 2,676
Faeces (Poliomyelitis) 46
Swabs (Streptococci) 31
Swabs (Pertussis) 4
Swabs (Influenza) 8
Smears (Variola) —
Scrapings (Variola) —
Other Specimens 18
Total 3,747
(I am indebted to Dr. Wil/rid G. Harding, Divisional Medical Officer,
London County Council, for the 1956 figures in connection with vaccination
diphtheria and whooping cough inoculations, and shest clinics).