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43
SECTION 28 - PREVENTION OF ILLNESS, CARE AND AFTERCARE
City of London Chest Clinic
Dr. Neville C. Oswald, the Chest Physician, has reported as follows:-
"During 1970, 12 City Residents with Pulmonary Tuberculosis have been kept under regular
supervision. Eight were carried over from 1969, three previously notified came into the Salvation
Army Hostel and one (a Syrian) was referred from Health Control, Heathrow Airport. Of the 12
patients, two were infectious and admitted to Hospital, five close contacts of Tuberculosis are
under observation, four school children with positive tuberculous skin tests are also seen
reguarly.
During 1970, six City Workers were found to have active Pulmonary Tuberculosis, none of
whom resided in the City. This led to the radiological examination in the Clinic of 75 contacts,
of whom 20 had second examinations.
There are 12 City Residents with non-tuberculosis respiratory diseases, who are seen
regularly in the Clinic."
Mass Miniature Radiography
A Mass Miniature Radiography Unit of the North East Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board
is established at Milton Court. Dr. R. Shoulman, the Director of the Unit reports as follows:-
"Introduction
During the year under review Unit 6D continued to serve the City of London and operated for
the greater part at Public Services Building, Milton Court, E.C.2., where 45,601 persons were
X-rayed. The Unit also visited four large organisations where a further 7,164 examinations were
made. For the year the overall total amounted to 52,765.
Since the Unit commenced operating in May, 1950, it has X-rayed well over one million
individuals. Up to the end of 1970, the totals examined were as follows:- 751,564 males and
488,394 females, making a grand total of 1,239,958.
Unit Results
Tuberculosis. During 1970, tuberculous infection was detected in 370 examinees, of these
362 were healed lesions requiring no further action. 6 required occasional supervision only and
2 (both males) had significant lesions requiring treatment, giving the lowest incidence rate ever
recorded, i.e. .064 for males and nil for females, an overall rate of .038 per 1,000 examined
Lung Cancer. 6 cases of carcinoma of the bronchus were discovered, all males, giving a
rate of 1.90 per 10,000 examined.
Of the 52,765 persons X-rayed on miniature film, 147 were referred for further investigation,
a rate of 2.78 perl,000 examinees.Other chest conditions were detected in fair numbers,as in previous
years.
General Comments
This will be the last Annual Report on the workings of the Unit as it is to cease operations
at the end of February, 1971, in accordance with arrangements made by the Regional Hosp ital Board and
the Department of Health. I cannot let this opportunity pass without expressing my grateful
thanks to the members of the Unit staff, who all managed to carry out their duties as efficiently
as ever with the shadow of closure hanging over them. At the time of preparing this Report,
alternative positions have been secured or offered for all except the Organising Secretary.
During the months of January and February, 1971, the Unit X-rayed 6,244 persons, of whom
25 were referred for further investigation, but by the time the results are known the Unit will
have completely disbanded, but we can report that during the life of the Unit a grand total of
1,246,202 individuals were examined, and undoubtedly this Unit has played a significant role in
the control of active tuberculosis.
I wish to pay tribute to Dr. W.G. Swann, Medical Officer of Health for the City of London for
the ready co-operation given, and to thank the Thames Group Hospital Management Committee and
the Regional Hospital Board for their advice and assistance."