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WORK OF THE CHEST CLINICS
I have pleasure in submitting the following report and Table on
the work of the Chest Clinics during the year under review, forwarded
to me by Dr. D. G. Madigan, Chest Physician, to whom I express
my thanks :—
" There has been a decrease in numbers referred for full
clinical investigation. This decline has been offset by an increasing
number of patients referred for Chest X-ray only. This is a special
service, using the 100 mm. film technique, designed to detect early
chest disease. It is a paramount, quick, informal method for
excluding the first stages of such disease, notably pulmonary
tuberculosis, pulmonary cancer, sarcoidosis, and other conditions.
This service is of inestimable value to doctors in General Practice,
and it should be used to maximum benefit.
1961 has also been the first time that combinations of new
antibiotic drugs have shown definite promise. Now, when combined
Streptomycin, P.A.S., and I.N.A.H. have failed to render a
patient's sputum free of tubercle bacilli, resort to these later drugs,
commonly known as second line drugs, has proved efficacious in
achieving sputum conversion, but what is of signal importance is
the fact that they may be effective against the tubercle bacilli
which have become resistant to Streptomycin, P.A.S. and I.N.A.H.
Further new antibiotics are anticipated, but energetic Public
Health preventative measures continue to be of the greatest
importance."

B.C.G. Vaccination of contacts : 66.
Number of Tuberculous Patients admitted to Hospital or Sanatorium
during 1961: 29.
20