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92
The 785 examinations include a number from the Croydon
General Hospital, in addition to those sent in by General
Practitioners.
1934, however, shows a slight increase in the number of
examinations of sputa made for General Practitioners. It is difficult
to understand why this simple test is not always made in any
doubtful chest condition.
Too much reliance should not be placed upon one negative
sputum examination. In any case in which it is considered
advisable to have the sputum examined, at least three specimens
should be submitted if the result is returned as negative.
X-ray Work.
A greater number of doubtful and difficult cases were sent for
radiological examinations than in previous years. Each year this
specialised examination is being increasingly used. By this means
the number of beds necessary for the observation of such cases has
been reduced and cases of Bronclnectasis, Pulmonary tumour, etc.,
were discovered which otherwise would have been classed as suffering
from Pulmonary Tuberculosis.
Without a good X-ray plate, properly interpreted, suspected
tuberculosis can never be ruled out. Ordinary physical examination
can find tuberculosis, but it cannot, except rarely, find early tuberculosis.
It cannot demonstrate pathological changes and cannot
follow accurately the progress of disease or of healing. X-ray
plates, however, must be well made and accurately interpreted or
they become a source of diagnostic errors.
331 X-Ray examinations were made during the year, an increase
of 73 over 1933. This is equivalent to 40.4 for every 100
new cases and contacts seen, and compares with a rate of 30.4 for
every 100 new cases and contacts seen in 1933, and 22.6 for every
100 new cases and contacts seen in 1932. In addition a certain
number of cases who have already been examined at various Hospitals
are referred to the Clinic. There were also a number of new
cases examined in Mayday Hospital whose X-Ray examinations
are not counted.
Extra Nourishment.
Provision of special nourishment in the form of milk was
granted to a number of selected cases for varying periods.