London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Lambeth 1967
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Lambeth Borough]
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36
Table 2 compares Chest Clinic figures for tuberculosis since 1951 and
demonstrates the continued fall in the total number of cases on the register, the
reduction in incidence and the overall decline in the death rate.
TABLE 2
| Year | Total on Register | New cases diagnosed | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1951 | 1,541 | 266 | 62 |
| 1952 | 1,512 | 152 | 38 |
| 1953 | 1,434 | 115 | 39 |
| 1954 | 1,395 | 159 | 20 |
| 1955 | 1,281 | 86 | 12 |
| 1956 | 1,242 | 80 | 21 |
| 1957 | 1,252 | 128 | 7 |
| 1958 | 1,214 | 118 | 7 |
| 1959 | 1,240 | 86 | 8 |
| 1960 | 1,239 | 89 | 12 |
| 1961 | 1,159 | 77 | 23 |
| 1962 | 1,144 | 60 | 18 |
| 1963 | *1,411 | 46 | 17 |
| 1964 | *1,380 | 47 | 11 |
| 1965 | *1,357 | 42 | 12 |
| 1966 | *1,234 | 37 | 9 |
| 1967 | *1,173 | 33 | 8 |
| *including observation cases | |||
TRE ATMENT
The majority of new cases in Table 2 were given treatment initially in
hospital and subsequently continued chemo-therapy as outpatients. A small
number of patients were re-admitted for relapse usually following difficulties
with the treatment drugs. An average of 15 tuberculosis beds were kept
occupied in Dulwich Hospital including five for patients admitted from the
Knight's Hill Hostel for tuberculous men.
HOME VISITING
This essential aspect of the chest clinic service was maintained by the
full time Tuberculosis Health Visitor provided by the Council. The Visitor
is responsible for advising patients in their home on matters of hygiene and
the prevention of infection and arranges the examination of contacts at the
chest clinic. Office accommodation is provided for her at the clinic with
access to patients’ medical records and facilities for full discussion of
case problems with the Chest Physician.