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Dr. M. Cap]in, Consultant Chest Physician to the Chest Clinic of the London
Chest Hospital reports:-
"The work of the Chest Clinic in 1971 showed little change over recent
previous years. Lung cancer, asthma and chronic bronchitis have largely
replaced pulmonary tuberculosis as the major disease dealt with at the clinic.
Tuberculosis, however, still remains an important problem, particularly
amongst the elderly and amongst immigrants in whom the disease sometimes
assumes atypical features. Modern treatment is fortunately very effective
and complete cure can be expected in nearly all cases if drugs are taken
regularly for a specified period. Difficulties arise occasionally amongst
patients who have no fixed address and wander from one common lodging house
to another and fail to take their drugs regularly. These patients may remain
infectious and may become resistant to the standard drugs. Such patients
often present a considerable problem in management to the doctor, social
worker and health visitor.
The Care Committee has adjusted to the changed chest clinic function
and the great majority of the patients who were helped were not tuberculous,
but suffering from lung cancer or bronchitis. These conditions are often
associated with serious social problems, and there is frequently a great
need for advice and financial help beyond that which canbe obtained from statutory
sources. I want to thank the Care Committee for giving this advice and help so
freely.
The past year saw the building of the new outpatient department at the
London Chest Hospital. This purpose built department will house the Poplar,
Stepney, Metropolitan and Shoreditch Chest Clinics which are due to be absorbed
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into the London Chest Hospital in 1972.
Health Control of I mm i g r a n t s
During the year 390 advice notes of immigrant arrivals were received in the
department from various ports of entry, and successful contact was made in 212
instances. Of the remaining 178 some had moved to addresses outside the borough,
and details were forwarded to the authority concerned, but the majority were either
not known or had never arrived at the address given.
One immigrant suffering from tuberculosis was admitted on condition that she
reported to the Medical Officer of Health for examination. Arrangements were made
for her to attend a Chest Clinic.
VENEREAL DISEASE
The annual return received from the Venerea] Disease Clinic at the London
Hospital shows the new cases attending the clinic during the year to be as follows:-
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