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52
TUBERCULOSIS-SPECIAL SURVEYS
During the year the Tuberculin Patch Test was applied to
all new entrants in the Infants' Schools. All known contacts and
children who had a primary infection prior to school entry were
not included in this survey.
Total number patch tested 728.
Total number negative 715—6 were not read.
Total number found to be positive 7.
Four of the cases found to be positive had been in contact
with persons in the family who suffered from pulmonary tuberculosis.
Of these persons, two were unaware of their illness and
hospital treatment has now been arranged for them. In the case of
the other two, the parents knew that their children were in contact
with a tubercular parent or grand parent. If only they had realised
the danger of close contact to a young child with a person suffering
from pulmonary tuberculosis and avoided it, infection of the child
might have been prevented.
In the three other cases the cause was unknown.
Two special surveys were carried out on children who had
been in contact with a classmate who developed primary
tuberculosis. Ninety-six children were involved, of these 87 were
negative, 7 were not tested for various reasons, one refused and
one was positive. The latter case was referred to the Ealing Chest
Clinic. Arrangements were also made for mass X-ray of the staff
and helpers. This was carried out with satisfactory results.