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 1946
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London County Council]
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(5) Numbers, in age groups, of significant lesions probably tuberculous (306) and persons advised sanatorium treatment (90).
| Age groups | Miniature films taken | Significant lesions probably tuberculous | Advised sanatorium treatment | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number | Percentage of miniatures | Number | Percentage of miniatures | ||
| 14 | 1,014 | 4 | .39 | 2 | .20 |
| 15-19 | 10,840 | 70 | .65 | 22 | .20 |
| 20-24 | 5,634 | 67 | 1.19 | 25 | .44 |
| 25-34 | 7,739 | 74 | .96 | 20 | .26 |
| 35-44 | 8,336 | 42 | .50 | 13 | .16 |
| 45-59 | 6,172 | 40 | .65 | 6 | .10 |
| 60+ | 956 | 9 | .94 | 2 | .21 |
| Total | 40,691 | 306 | .75 | 90 | .22 |
(6) Statistics of children or students attending secondary schools and technical colleges (15 years of age or over) included in foregoing tables
| dumber | Per cent. of miniature | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miniature films taken | 5,854 | - | ||
| Large films taken | 103 | 1.76 | ||
| A nalysis of large films— | ||||
| No significant abnormality | 67 | 1.14 | ||
| Probably non-tuberculous | 4 | .07 | ||
| Lesions probably tuberculous— | ||||
| (a) Admitted to sanatorium | 3 | 22 | .05 | .38 |
| (6) Under dispensary or G.P. supervision | 19 | .33 | ||
| Curdio-vascular lesions— | ||||
| (a) Congenital abnormality | 4 | 10 | .07 | .17 |
| (6) Acquired abnormality | 6 | .10 | ||
| Total | 103 | 1.76 | ||
Out of a total of 1,215 recalled for full sized film examinations, 33 examinees
(2.72 per cent.) failed to attend. A review of the miniature films for these 33 persons
showed 7 with definite lesions probably tuberculous in origin, 18 with a doubtful
shadow in the lung, and 4 with some suspicion of a cardiac abnormality; the
remaining 4 persons were known cases of pulmonary tuberculosis and had previously
undergone sanatorium treatment.
Persons in whom there was evidence of a significant radiological abnormality,
as disclosed by full sized film examinations, were followed up. With the consent of
the individuals the X-ray films and reports were forwarded to their private doctors,
who were asked to furnish information as to the subsequent diagnosis and the steps
taken to obtain treatment. It was suggested that patients with lesions probably
tuberculous, should be referred to their local tuberculosis officer for further investigation.
The results of the survey since the inception of the scheme have remained fairly
consistent. There have been slight variations at the different centres, but statistically
these cannot be regarded as of any significance. For the year 1946, 0-75 per cent.
(0-92 per cent. 1945) showed significant lesions, probably tuberculous in origin, and
0-22 per cent. (0-16 per cent. 1945) were recommended institutional treatment on
the clinical findings at the initial investigation, that is a period up to three months
from the date of the first examination. In the course of the year under review, six
confirmed cases and one probable case of unsuspected carcinoma of the lungs were
discovered.
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