View report page

61
This table shows that the number of notifications has remained
fairly static during the past four years and has not decreased with
the much diminished death rate from this disease, to which reference
has been made elsewhere. It is, however, encouraging to note that,
compared with 1942 when the population was much smaller, the
incidence has declined despite the greatly improved facilities for
diagnosis available in recent years.
There is still a steady yearly increase in the numbers on the
register, but this is only to be expected with a condition involving
such a lengthy period of treatment, and many who are still on the
register are now only receiving very occasional supervision.
Mass X-Ray.
A very close and satisfactory liaison exists between this department
and Dr. J. M. Morgan, the Director of the Mass X-Ray Unit
of the South Eastern Regional Hospital Board, which operates from
time to time in this area, and I am very grateful to him and his
staff especially for supplying me with the statistics upon which the
following information is based.
During the year, 7,115 people were X-rayed, of whom 4,189
were women and 2,926 men. Of the grand total 2,559 had previously
taken advantage of this service.
Of the 130 abnormalities discovered, 79 required no action,
and 21 were considered tuberculous. Of this latter group, 9 required
treatment, 7 needed occasional supervision only, 4 required no
further action, and one is still under investigation. The remainder
of the 130 consisted of non-tuberculous chest conditions, cardiac
abnormalities and a few previously known tuberculous cases.
Whilst these figures show that there would appear to be some
2,559 persons who have recognised the value of regular examination
of this type, there were only 4,556 new converts, and it is safe to
say that a much higher percentage of people will have to be
encouraged to co-operate with this service if we are to succeed in
our aim of the eventual elimination of the scourge of tuberculosis
from our midst,