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27
I am indebted to Dr. R.H.J. Fanthorpe, Chest Physician, for
the following section of the Report.
In November 1954, the Chest Clinic was moved from 20 Katharine
Street to its new premises at 33 Mayday Road. The new clinic
is more spacious, and the patients have appreciated the improved
facilities which have been provided.
Although social conditions were different in 1954, a comparison
with 1927 shows that in 1927, 90 per 100,000 of the population
in Croydon died from all forms of tuberculosis; in 1954
the corresponding figure was 13.2. The years selected were nine
years after a major war.
Measures for the prevention of the disease are being extended
each year, and during 1954 the number of contacts examined and
the number of contacts who have received protection by B. C. G.
vaccination have both increased substantially.
During the year a contact survey of a school was carried out,
subsequent to the finding of a case of pulmonary tuberculosis
among the staff. The children in the school were tuberculin
tested, and the positive reactors, together with the adult staff,
were X-rayed by the Mass Radiography Unit. 141 children were
tuberculin tested and in 69 a positive reaction occurred. 5 children,
who were found to be suffering from primary tuberculosis,
required treatment at home or in hospital. 17 children were kept
under supervision as outpatients of the Clinic. No case of infectious
pulmonary tuberculosis was found and there were no
deaths.
The employment of the tuberculous after completion of treatment,
constitutes a problem, but the finding of suitable work
for these patients has been made easier by the holding of periodic
conferences between the Chest Physician, the Welfare Officer and
the Disablement Resettlement Officer from the local office of the
Ministry of Labour.
Incidence
211 cases of Respiratory Tuberculosis and 27 cases of NonRespiratory
Tuberculosis were notified on Form A during 1954
(Table 1 - Formal Notifications). Of these 139 males and 72
females were Respiratory cases and 11 males and 16 females were
Non-Respiratory. In addition 95 Respiratory cases and 3 Non-Respiratory
cases came to our notice as new cases otherwise than by
notification (Table II - Supplemental Return).