View report page

large amounts of unburnt oils and substances which are known to be cancer stimulators.
Lead compounds are emitted and also carbon monoxide, a constituent
of coal gas. I am glad I do not live on a main traffic road. I think that legislation
should be introduced to render exhaust fumes less noxious. Perhaps electrically
powered vehicles might be the answer in due course.
I could write a book about some of the 69 new patients that I saw in 1965 from that
outsize lodging house, Carrington House, which is conveniently near to the Deptford
Chest Clinic. Many had pulmonary tuberculosis and much of this was active. Most
of these men had significant chest disease, mostly bronchitis often in a severe form,
and some were found to have lung cancer. Many of these men have "lived rough"
at some stage before coming to Carrington House, and sleeping in the fresh air
usually makes bronchitis worse. Many need a great deal of medical care. Apart
from these new attenders, many previous attenders from Carrington House have come
to the Chest Clinic on frequent occasions through the year for follow-up of tuberculosis
or other diseases needing at times, emergency treatment and admission to
hospital. Proximity to Carrington House has assisted my staff in the follow up of
tuberculous cases who will be less easy to check if this clinic is moved two miles
away into Greenwich. Though a number come, start treatment and disappear,
some stick close to Carrington House. Recently, I saw one old man of 88, born
locally and who has lived—so he says—in Carrington House for 48 years, when he
became a widower left with 8 children and he still sees the children from time to time.
He has bronchitis and is rather short of breath, but is otherwise well for his age.
A final word about pulmonary tuberculosis in general. The present drug treatment
is most efficient though it may have to be continued for 18 months or two years.
New cases are still cropping up with moderate frequency, and the disease cannot
yet be regarded as conquered. Death from it is more rare now, but it still causes a lot
of morbidity and damage to working life. Vigilance is still necessary over follow-up
cases under treatment and investigation of contact cases. Betterment of the patient's
environment is still important and rehousing schemes especially valuable.
MASS RADIOGRAPHY UNIT
I am indebted to the Director of the Unit for information of work done in the
borough during 1965 on which the following tables are based.