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96
There is a striking fall among the number of cases of non-pulmonary
tuberculosis. In 1929, 1930 and 1931 there were 44, 52 and 56 cases
respectively, an average of 51 cases each year, whereas in 1932 the number
has dropped abruptly to 28. In the absence of any precise knowledge as
to the relative incidence of human and bovine infection among the non-
pulmonary group in Poplar, either during the year under review or in
previous years, the reasons for the drop in non-pulmonary cases remain
merely conjectural.
There is no reflection so far in the Tuberculosis Statistics of the
adverse economic conditions.
The remaining figures on Table I explain themselves.
There has been a notable increase in the X-ray work; the plant at
the Dispensary has been increasingly used for screen examinations, while
full advantage has been taken of the arrangements whereby films, when
necessary, are taken at St. Andrew's Hospital.
Comments on Tables II and III.
These returns remain optional. Their compilation involve a lot of
time and close attention, but they form a valuable commentary on the
work done under the Tuberculosis Scheme.
On these tables the condition of each patient is recorded year by
year, while no patient who comes under the Tuberculosis Scheme in
Poplar will ever cease to appear on them in one place or another.
During the year 35 patients have been removed from the Dispensary
Register as Recovered (Item C, Table I), and have been added to those
similarly removed in former years on Tables II and III in the appropriate
columns.
On Table III one case which originated in 1931 developed pulmonary
tuberculosis during the year, and has accordingly been transferred to
Table II. This makes a total of only 4 cases of non-pulmonary tuberculosis
which have, since 1926, developed pulmonary tuberculosis.