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WORK OF TEE 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:-
"Statistical details of new patients from Beckenham Borough
attending the Chest Clinics during 1964 are given In the
attached table.
No particular comment upon the figures is called for, as they
reflect the pattern of recent years.
In the field of Tuberculosis control there appears to be undue
complacency in Britain today, and this is an attitude towards
the disea.se that must be challenged assiduously. Some enlightened
countries are beginning to talk about eradication of Tuberculosis,
but I do not think we can begin to talk about eradication In this
country until we have tightened up our methods of control.
Adequate co-operation from all sections of the community depends
upon all being imbued with a sense of purpose, and this can only
be achieved by well directed and persistent propaganda to this end.
Complacency may well cause us to lose ground in the fight against
this disease, whereas we should be advancing towards a position
whence an all-out effort at eradication could be embarked upon.
Immigration has introduced a serious problem in certain industrial
centres, and may have adverse repercussions on Tuberculosis control.
The danger arising out of patients not taking drugs as prescribed
is also a problem which still persists."

B.C.G-. Vaccination of contacts: 62
Patients admitted to Hospital or Sanatorium suffering from
Tuberculosis during 1964.: 28.
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