View report page

TABLE 15.—Mass Radiography: Analysis of Persons Recommended for
Further Medical Advice.
Male
Female
Total
Tuberculosis—
Active primary lesions with symptoms
—
1
1
Active primary lesions without symptoms
1
—
1
Post-primary unilateral with symptoms
—
1
1
Post-primary unilateral without symptoms
1
—
1
Post-primary bilateral without symptoms
—
1
1
Pleural effusion
1
—
I
Inactive primary lesions
1
—
1
Inactive post-primary lesions
2
1
3
Sarcoidosis
—
2
2
Cardiovascular lesions (congenital)
1
—
1
Totals
7
6
13
It will be noted from the Tables that of 4,117 persons X-rayed, 13 (0.3 per cent.) were referred for
further medical advice, and 19 (0.46 per cent.) were invited to attend later for re-examination. Separate
figures for persons actually living in St. Marylebone are, unfortunately, not available in respect of this
investigation.
Venereal Diseases.—Continued assistance was given to the propaganda campaign for drawing public
attention to the dangers of these conditions, and to the adequate facilities which exist for those in
need of treatment.
Scabies.—The Council's Cleansing Station in Lisson Grove dealt with 80 cases of scabies : adults 32
(men 18, women 14) ; children 48 (boys 23, girls 25). Domiciliary visits paid in connection with St.
Marylebone cases numbered 16.
Impetigo.—One boy and three girls received treatment for this condition at the Cleansing Station.
Disinfection.—In some of the large towns in this country, generally throughout the United States,
and in large European countries, terminal disinfection has been discontinued without any increase
in the number of secondary cases. By " terminal" disinfection is meant the treatment of the room
after the patient has been removed to hospital or has recovered from the disease. " Current "
disinfection refers to the usual disinfection carried out in the sick-room during the course of the
ailment. Continuance of the practice of terminal disinfection is due to the fact that many people
still expect it as a necessary culminating feature of an infectious illness and look askance if the ritual
is not carried out. It is analagous to the suspicion and disappointment of the patient for whom the
doctor decides it is unnecessary to prescribe the customary bottle of medicine. It is now known
that most organisms do not retain their virulence for long when separated from their host, and that
human beings and not inanimate objects are the real source of infection. Abolition of terminal
disinfection is not advocated in the case of the " dangerous infectious diseases " such as smallpox,
the enteric group, diphtheria, scarlet fever and other streptococcal infections, but in the minor
infections, e.g., measles, german measles, chickenpox and mumps, where the infective agent is short
lived, there appears to be good reason, based on scientific data, for discontinuing the process and
substituting the free use of soap and water, followed by thorough ventilation. For some time, therefore,
the old procedure of disinfecting for all infections has been modified accordingly.