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25
"I am sending a circular letter to all medical men in the
district seeking their assistance and co-operation in the education
of the public and in the early diagnosis of the disease and informing
them of the facilities for diagnosis and treatment offered at the
King Edward Hospital and the West Middlesex Hospital.
THOMAS ORR,
Medical Officer of Health.
2nd February, 1925.
"Town Hall,
"Ealing, W.5.
"14th February, 1925.
"Dear Sir,
"I am sending herewith a copy of a Report on Cancer which
I have submitted to the Town Council, and at the same time I
take the opportunity of soliciting your assistance and co-operation
in quietly informing the public, without undue alarm, of the value
of early diagnosis and treatment of Cancer. My view is that the
public ought to be taught to call in a doctor whenever there is a
lump or enlargement in any part of the body or where there is any
abnormality or lowered condition of health. If advice is suitably
given it would apply to other important diseases as well as cancer
which call for early treatment.
"As the early diagnosis of cancer is of vital importance in its
treatment and as the medical practitioner frequently requires
assistance in difficult cases I wish to draw your attention to the
facilities which are offered, for those patients who are unable to
afford the fee of a consultant, at the King Edward Memorial Hospital
and at the West Middlesex Hospital where specialists can be
consulted and where X-ray departments are available for diagnosis.
"When a case is referred to the King Edward Hospital all
that the medical attendant need do is to send his card or a short
note with the patient. The West Middlesex Hospital deals with
persons coming within the Poor Law and in such cases the patient
is only dealt with through the intermediary of the Relieving Officer.
It is hoped, however, that this procedure will be modified and that
a medical attendant will be able to refer patients direct to the West
Middlesex Hospital for diagnosis and treatmen tby the simple
means of sending his card,