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The number of new notifications of pulmonary tuberculosis
was 60, compared with 47, 57, 48 and 59 in the previous four
years. This corresponds with a case rate of 93 per 100,000
population, which is above the average for the last 5 or 10 years,
and a considerable increase on last year. The fact that this rate
is now much higher than it was in the years immediately before
the war, is, however, partly due to the influence of Mass Radiography
etc. in detecting more cases in their earlier stages, and
partly because the success of modern treatment encourages early
notification.
The incidence of this disease can be further reduced if more
hospital beds are made available, immunisation and segregation
of contacts is encouraged, and preferential treatment is given in
rehousing and rehabilitation.
By contrast with the case rate, the death rate from pulmonary
tuberculosis has again dropped to a low level, as it has nationally,
being only 17 per 100,000 population in 1951, compared with 31,
64 and 29 in the three preceding years, and a post-war average of
43. (Nationally it was 40 in 1949, 32 in 1950 and 28 in 1951.)
The incidence of new cases of non-pulmonary tuberculosis
decreased (6 per 100,000 population compared with 11 last year
and the post-war average of 12), while there were no deaths from
this form of tuberculosis compared with the post-war average of
3 per 100,000.
The Council continues to be responsible for two measures
aimed at combating this disease, viz., rehousing and disinfection,
but the County Council bears the responsibility for all other preventive
measures except the treatment of cases, which has passed
to the Regional Hospital Boards. A scheme for the immunisation
of certain sections of the population is being instituted, and it is
hoped that still more beds for treatment will be made available.
The Mass X-ray Unit operated for a period during the
Autumn in South Croydon, this being the best site which could
be obtained to deal with those most needing examination in the
area. More Units will be required if the practice of annual reexaminations
is to be encouraged.
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