London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
London County Council 1944
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London County Council]
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26
At each of the centres, factory, shop and office employees, Civil Defence
personnel and secondary and technical scholars from the surrounding metropolitan
boroughs were examined.
The medical director is responsible for the reading of the miniature films. For
the interpretation of the full-sized films a consultative panel has been formed,
comprising a radiologist, a general physician, the senior medical officer on the central
staff in charge of tuberculosis work and the medical director. Also tuberculosis
officers and other experts are invited to participate in the discussions. The panel
meets weeklv.
| Number | Per cent. of Miniatures | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miniature films taken | 46,671 | — | ||
| Large films taken | 1,795 | 3-85 | ||
| Details of conditions revealed by large films | ||||
| 355 | .76 | |||
| (6) For lesions probably non-tubereulous | 21 | .05 | ||
| (c) For cardio-vascular lesions | 92 | .20 | ||
| 54 | .12 | |||
| (e) Possibly after further X-ray examination in 3.6 months | 27 | .06 | ||
| 549 | 118 | |||
| (ii) Radiologically inactive lesions | 676 | 1.45 | ||
| (iii) No abnormality | 570 | 1.22 | ||
| 1,795 | ||||
| (2) | Analysis of lesions probably tuberculous (355) | |||
| Diagnosis confirmed by tuberculosis officer | 298 | .64 | ||
| Doubtful cases | 28 | .06 | ||
| Awaiting tuberculosis officer's report | 5 | .01 | ||
| Refused investigation | 24 | .05 | ||
| 355 | .76 | |||
| (3) | Summary of reports from tuberculosis officers of advice | |||
| given (pulmonary lesions probably tuberculous—355) | ||||
| Requiring no further medical action | 4 | .008 | ||
| Requiring a further examination later as a precaution | 21 | .045 | ||
| Requiring continued dispensary observation | 187 | .40 | ||
| Should cease work and remain under observation at home | 3 | .007 | ||
| Requiring sanatorium treatment | 111 | .24 | ||
| Information so far not available or refused investigation | 29 | .06 | ||
| 355 | .76 | |||
Maintenance
allowances
(Memo. 266T;
All persons in whom evidence of disease was shown were followed up. lhe
patient's doctor was communicated with and the X-ray film and report forwarded
to him. At the same time the patient was told to see his own doctor, who was
asked to inform the medical director of the subsequent diagnosis and steps taken
to obtain treatment. It was suggested that the patient should be referred to the
local tuberculosis officer if necessary.
Payment of maintenance allowances under the Government's scheme, set out
in memorandum 266T of the Ministry of Health, to patients undergoing prescribed
treatment either in a hospital or sanatorium or at home under the tuberculosis
officer's direction, continued throughout the year.
The machinery of the dispensary service was utilised in connection with enquiries
for the purpose of determining the amounts payable, and, where practicable, for
the actual payment of the allowances. The tuberculosis officers are responsible for
determining eligibility on medical grounds for any allowances authorised, and during
the year a total of over £120,000 was paid in allowances.