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21
THE PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF TUBERCULOSIS
Dr. R. H. J. Fanthorpe, M. D., M. R. C. P.
Chest Physician
Measures for the prevention and treatment of Tuberculosis
are directed from the Chest Clinic and the results during 1959
may be regarded as satisfactory.
The number of deaths from all forms of Tuberculosis during
1959 was 25 which shows an increase of 5 when compared with 1958
but the incidence of the disease during the year has continued
to fall.
The General Practitioner Miniature X-ray Service continues
to function in a satisfactory way and is well used by the Local
Practitioners.
The results of this service are summarised below:-
Number of miniature films taken 3,158
Number of patients recalled for examination
and large film 564
Number of active cases of Pulmonary Tuberculosis
25
Number of cases of lung cancer found 28
It will be seen that the number of patients found suffering
from Pulmonary Tuberculosis represents a rate of 7.9 per 1,000
which compares favourably with the figure of 1.45 per 1,000 from
Public Mass X-ray Surveys. It should be realised that patients
referred to the clinic for Miniature X-ray usually have chest
symptoms whereas many patients attending public Mass Radiography
sessions have no symptoms.
Whilst this section of the report is concerned with Tuberculosis
it should be realised that all chest conditions are seen
and treated at the Chest Clinic and in the Chest Wards in Mayday
Hospital. The incidence and mortality of Tuberculosis continues
to decline in a satisfactory way but the problem of Chronic
Bronchitis and Lung Cancer becomes greater in each successive
year.