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97
I am indebted to the four metropolitan regional hospital boards and to the Ministry
of Health for the figures (page 96) showing the number of persons (mostly working
adults) examined during the year by their mass X-ray units operating in London and
the number of cases of tuberculosis whose diagnosis was established during 1952. It
will be seen that a number of the diagnoses completed during 1952 related to persons
X-rayed in 1951. Likewise a number of persons X-rayed during 1952 will remain under
surveillance until a firm diagnosis becomes established in 1953.
Foot clinics
The Council has continued to operate the 26 foot clinics established by the metropolitan
borough councils before 5th July, 1948, but the demand for foot treatment
continues to be unsatisfied. There is need not only for a further expansion of the service
at existing foot clinics but for the establishment of new foot clinics in areas which at
present are very poorly served. Liaison between clinics, general practitioners and hospital
orthopaedic departments is good, although the need remains for the laying down of
standards for the types of foot conditions which are suitable for treatment by a chiropodist
and those which should be referred to a general practitioner or hospital. In some
divisions it has been possible by grouping chiropodists into larger units so that three,
four or even five work simultaneously at one session, to make it economical to provide a
clerk to relieve the chiropodists of clerical work. Arrangements have been extended for
dealing with special categories of patients, viz., children and the infirm aged. School
children found to be suffering from verrucae pedis and other foot conditions can be
referred for treatment. For infirm aged and housebound patients unable to reach a
clinic in any other way, transport has been provided. In one division, diabetic patients
have been treated in association with a local hospital which has a special unit for such
persons.

* Some sessions are attended by more than one chiropodist.
The majority of treatments provided at the clinics are for superficial excrescences (corns,
callosities, etc.) and malformed nails. Advice is given on shoe fitting, foot hygiene and
exercises.
Venereal disease
A summary of the work done in 1952 at the London V.D. clinics will be found in
Table 20, page 189. Approximately 75 per cent. of the patients were resident in the
County of London. The figures show a continued decline in the number of patients
suffering from syphilis. There was, however, a slight increase in the number suffering
from gonorrhoea. A large number of persons who were not suffering from venereal
disease again attended the clinics.
There was no appreciable change in the defaulter rate.
There was no appreciable change in the defaulter rate. The table below gives the
number of patients completing treatment and of defaulters as shown by analysis of the
returns from the clinics for 1952.
G*