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WORK OF THE CHEST CLINICS
I extend grateful thanks to Dr. D. G. Madigan for submitting
his report on the work carried out at the Chest Clinics on behalf of
patients residing in this Borough.
"The number of new contacts examined during the year has
risen slightly, and it is gratifying to note that none of these was
found to be suffering from tuberculosis, a fact that speaks well
of the combined measures for prevention available at the present
time.
Chemotherapy continues to be the chief weapon in combating
the disease, but its predominance may be temporarily
compromised by an increase in the number of cases having
resistant organisms. It is a little disquieting to notice in recent
years that the disciplines so important in the management of
tuberculosis are not being observed with the same tenacity. It is
difficult to persuade patients to take chemotherapeutic drugs at
home as scientifically prescribed. Some do not take P.A.S.
regularly, and thus it enhances the possibility of the infective
organisms becoming resistant to the other drugs taken in conjunction
with it. Nevertheless, it is correct to say that sputum
conversion is being achieved fairly rapidly in the vast majority of
newly diagnosed cases of tuberculosis, which cuts down the risk
of spreading the infection.
There is no doubt that the incidence of tuberculosis will
fall as time goes on, but there is no room for complacency, or
relaxation of the well-established measures of prevention which
have evolved since the introduction of the Tuberculosis Service."

IB.C.G. Vaccination of contacts:78.
.^Number of Patients admitted to Hospital or Sanatorium during
21