London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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City of London 1957

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London, City of ]

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"During the mobile period the Unit visited several firms in the City who could either
themselves or in collaboration with other firms in the vicinity, provide a sufficient number
of "bodied1 to render the Unit's visit economical. The Unit also spent several weeks in
Shoreditch, operating from the Haggerston Library, 236, Kingsland Road, E.2. by kind permission
of the Libraries Committee. Firms were circulated by the Public Health Department
of Shoreditch and staffs attended the Unit in a series of appointments. Public Sessions
were held but these were not so well attended as the planned sessions, notwithstanding the
display of posters, distribution of handbills and announcements in the local Press. We
would take this opportunity of recording our grateful appreciation to the Medical Officer of
Health for Shoreditch (Dr. B. Broadbent) and his staff for their helpful co-operation.
Zone of Unit
"The zone of Unit 6D covers the City of London and the Metropolitan Boroughs of Finsbury
and Shoreditch, with the administrative offices at the Finsbury Health Centre, Pine
Street, London, E.C.I. There is no dearth of volunteers for examination and the Unit is
continuously adding new firms to its already extensive card index.
Method of Operation
"While operating at the Mass Radiography Centre "miniature" sessions were held on
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays with sessions from 9.15 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from
2.00 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. Throughout the year separate sessions were arranged for men and
women, although early in 1958 the Unit discontinued this practice and now examines both
sexes during the same sessions. Tuesdays and Thursdays were allocated for the reading of
miniature films taking and reading large films, interviews by the Medical Director, and the
dispatch of results to examinees who provide a stamped addressed envelope for this purpose.
"During the mobile periods sessions were arranged to meet particular requirements.
Whenever possible a firm's internal postal system was used for the dissemination of results
and recalls for large films. Further time was saved by the daily reading of miniature films.
Except for large films examinees are X-rayed over their clothes; ladies being advised what
to avoid wearing on the day of examination. No expense has been incurred for hiring accommodation
when the Unit was mobile, and it is only right and proper that we should record
our appreciation of the services rendered by firms, etc.
"Many City firms insist on a Chest X-ray when new staff is undergoing a medical examination.
The result of such an examination is, of course, sent to the examinee.
Medical Procedure
"Abnormal cases (after an interview with the Medical Director) are referred, through the
examinee's own doctor, to the appropriate Chest Clinic. The ultimate diagnosis is secured
from the latter through the medium of the fonn designed for this purpose. We express our
grateful thanks to the many Chest Clinics, to which we have referred cases, for their helpful
co-operation.
"All clinics have recorded their sputum findings, and thirty-one cases with a positive
sputum have been reported, of which twenty-seven were male and four female. This denotes
an increase of 50% on the 1956 returns.
"The Unit classifies its abnormal miniatures and appropriate notification is passed to
the examinee. Thus when an examinee's film shows scars of old, and now healed, lesions
he (or she) does not receive the normal notification card but a specially worded letter. Where
an investigation is outside the purview of a Chest Clinic, the co-operation of St. Bartholomew's
Hospital is secured, and with appreciation I acknowledge the help rendered by Dr.
N.C. Oswald and his colleagues.
"Increasing use is made of the re-examination of previous miniatures for comparison
purposes to clear up doubtful abnormalities. Such an investigation may go back eight years.
Suspected malignant disease and most of the sarcoidosis cases have been brought to light
by these reviews.
"The recall rate for large films is thereby lowered to the advantage of the examinee who
is spared an unnecessary journey and anxiety, without impairment to the efficiency and
accuracy of the Unit. There is a corresponding saving of time and materials.
Carcinoma of the Lung

"Deaths from broncho-genic carcinoma are reported to have increased 500% since 1930. Figures for this Unit show the number of cases discovered.

1951-21954-12
1952-61955-10
1953-71956-11
1957-13

"Compared with other Units, the above figures are on the low side which may be explained
by the fact that apart from some pollution of the atmosphere by the internal combustion
engine and cigarette smoking there are no added industrial hazards in the City of
London.
5.