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27
English 1
Italian 1
Pakistani 1
Chinese 3
In their article the authors stated that they realised that the results
of their survey were based on a 55 per cent, sample, but they suggested
that there was no reason to suppose that the remaining 45 per cent, who
did not co-operate were any less likely to have tuberculosis. In fact
there may have been many who knew that they had tuberculosis or who
were already attending clinics and who deliberately avoided the survey
for fear of losing their work as food handlers.
The following is a summary of the conclusions reached by the authors
of the article as a result of their investigation:—
(i) Tuberculosis is more than four times as common in the catering
trade in the Soho ar a than in the general population and almost
certainly more common in Soho than in the catering trade elsewhere
in the United Kingdom. The disease is most common among
alcohol servers, food preparers and other kitchen staff.
(ii) There is evidence that rather more than half the tuberculous
workers have the disease before joining the catering trade and a
majority of these have come from countries where there is a high
national incidence of tuberculosis, e.g., China and Italy.
(iii) It is considered that all new entrants to the catering trade in
Soho should be X-rayed and tuberculin tested and, where necessary,
B.C.G., vaccinated, whether they come from abroad or were born
in the United Kingdom. For the Chinese, these precautions are
especially necessary.
In view of the information contained in the survey, I held discussions
with the Chest Physician of the Westminiter Hospital Chest Clinic, the
President of the Association of Chinese Restaurateurs, and with officials
of the Far Eastern Department of the Colonial Office who deal with matters
relating to Hong Kong. As a result the following action was initiated:—
(1) As a routine measure, all Public Health Inspectors visiting
catering premises in Westminster now enquire when the restaurant or
catering staff were x-rayed and advise as to how x-ray examination can
be obtained if necessary; further, whether arrangements have been made
for staff to be medically examined and x-rayed before engagement.
(2) The Association of Chinese Restaurateurs asked all its members
to arrange for every member of their staff to be x-rayed immediately
and recommended c rtain steps designed to improve the health of their
respective staffs. Announcements in English and Chinese were inserted
in Hong Kong papers calling attention to the concern which was felt in
England regarding the incidence of tuberculosis amongst Chinese workers