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58
In May 1936 a new purpose built tuberculosis dispensary was
opened at Blagdon Road to replace the one in Catford Hill which had
become structurally dangerous. This new dispensary has been fully
used ever since for the detection and treatment of tuberculosis, and
latterly for other diseases of the chest. In 1936 the number of cases on
the Dispensary register was 987, of which 808 were of pulmonary
tuberculosis and 179 of non-pulmonary tuberculosis. In this same
year the three health visitors concerned paid over 4,870 visits to the
homes of patients; they gave advice on the arrangement of the home
for the benefit of the patient and the protection of the contacts and
also arranged for the disinfection of rooms, bedding, etc.
When the care of tuberculosis patients was transferred from the
Borough to the Lewisham Group Hospital Management Committee
in 1948 under the National Health Service Act, 1946, the number of
cases on the tuberculosis dispensary register was 2,140.
Since 1948 the fight against tuberculosis has continued. The
tuberculosis dispensary is now known as the Chest Clinic as its scope
has broadened to include the treatment of other diseases of the chest.
The health department is kept informed of the environmental conditions
of tuberculous patients by the London County Council tuberculosis
health visitors, and, where necessary, action is taken by the
public health inspectors to improve matters.
The success of the campaigns against tuberculosis in the Borough
can be judged by the statistics shown in table 8, but there is no room
for complacency and parents are urged to have their children immunised
against the disease at the appropriate time and to take full advantage of
the services of the mass miniature x'ray unit.
Of the other infectious diseases occurring in the borough since
1901, mention should be made of scarlet fever which was until 1938
responsible for a few deaths each year, and whooping cough, a very
distressing disease. The incidence of whooping cough can be controlled
by immunisation, and again parents are urged to see to it that
their children are protected against this illness.
With the decline in infections, and the great improvement in
general health, there has come a change in the major causes of death,
and the pattern of disease. The long drawn out chronic diseases have
superseded the shorter acute illnesses; malignant disease, and chronic
degenerative ailments are now more in evidence reflecting the aging of
the population. Lung cancer and heart disease are more prevalent
than in the past. Another disease contributing considerably to the total
is chronic bronchitis. These effects require a different approach today.
Much more of the department's work is in the field of health education.
The persuasion of the public to acquire positive health attitudes and
persistant action towards the abatement of overcrowding and improvement
of housing condtiions will be ever increasing responsibilities of
the modern health department.