View report page

from the scheme, although arrangements were made for them to have
an X-ray examination at the Chest Clinic. During the first term's
work only 14.6 per cent were found to be positive, a finding which
has so far been confirmed by further experience. During the trials
of B.C.G. in 1951-52 (which took place with somewhat older children
and using a slightly different test) the Medical Research Council's team
found that on the average from 20 to 30 per cent of children showed
evidence of earlier infection. This is encouraging since it seems to
me good evidence that in Barking the incidence of tuberculous infection
is below average, and must reflect on the excellent preventive and
curative services which were developed in the past.
We have taken the opportunity of comparing the older skin test
(which involves a small injection) with a newer and simpler technique
(the Heaf test). Although it is yet too early to be certain, our initial
results suggest that this newer test gives equally reliable results as the
older and more complicated one.
Of the first 214 children tested, 208 results were the same by both
methods (19 positive, 189 negative). Of the remaining 6, 3 were
positive according to the old method (Mantoux test) but negative to
the new (Heaf) test, whilst 3 were negative to the Mantoux test but
positive to the Heaf test. These 6 children were all classified as
"positive" and were thus not given B.C.G.
EMPLOYMENT OF THE TUBERCULOUS
The memorandum stressed that employment for the tuberculous
should be chosen both to avoid risk to others and sc that no harm
can come to the patient from unsuitable placement Patients are
usually non-infectious by the time they are fit to retur to work, and
those cases who are still infectious are usually willing to accept advice
concerning employment. Nevertheless, we have no powers to prevent
such an individual from returning to work and exposing others to
infection if he declines our advice.
Problems involving the individuals' own interest cc concern two mam
categories of patient—those who will eventually be be able to resume
their former employment and those who for their own welfare need
to be retrained for and re-employed in lighter work.
The Occupational Therapist already provides domiciliary therapy
for bedridden patients in the very early stages of their recovery. During
the year the Health Area Sub-Committee conferred with the Dagenham
Health Area Sub-Committee (who share Miss Mercer’s service) iti
a view to a possible extension of the scheme to provide an occupationl
Page 30