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WORK OF THE CHEST CLINIC.
I am grateful to Dr. Madigan for submitting the following report on
the work of the Chest Clinics and the following Table :
" It will be seen from these figures that the numbers of patients
referred for investigation still show a downward trend, particularly
in the case of children. However, there is an appreciable increase in
the numbers of contacts attending for examination, which indicates
greater co-operation on the part of patients and their families in
preventive measures. This I feel is in large part due to the painstaking
efforts of the Tuberculosis Health Visitors in educating the
public in these measures. B.C.G. Vaccination of child contacts has
been well up to average, 57 children from Beckenham Borough
having been vaccinated during 1954.
There were fewer patients admitted to Hospitals or Sanatoria
for treatment than in 1953, and it is gratifying to note that waiting
lists for ordinary sanatorium treatment are now almost nonexistent.
Even cases awaiting surgical measures are admitted within
a reasonable period now ; a vast improvement on the position of a
few years ago."

Number of patients admitted to Sanatoria during the year : 52.
These figures relate to patients resident in Beckenham Borough only.
BECKENHAM TUBERCULOSIS CARE COMMITTEE.
The voluntary Tuberculosis Care Committee was formed in 1938
and has undoubtedly rendered a most valuable service by raising considerable
sums of money which are used for the benefit of local patients.
Assistance is given to patients in ways which supplement the official
schemes and congratulations are due to the Hon. Secretary and the
Committee for their excellent work.
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