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6
Publicity has failed. In any case it has been quuc inadequate
when compared with the skilful and sustained
propaganda for smoking conducted by the tobacco industry
—much of it directed at the adolescent boy and girl to whom
smoking is presented as something fine and glamorous and
a sign of maturity. It would be wrong, in spite of public
apathy, to drop this subject and accept the consequents. It
is hoped that the wise person will, progressively, cut down
his cigarettes or, better still, give them up altogether, 01
change over to a pipe which is considered to be less
dangerous.
During 1960 a concentrated mass x-ray survey was carried
out in Erith, Bexley andi Crayford (total population
166,800) in conjunction with the South-East Metropolitan
Regional Hospital Board. The results of this survey are
given in the body of the report. It will be seen that 35,250
people were x-rayed (Erith 9,690) but it should be stated
that an additional seven thousand were x-rayed in factories
just prior to the campaign in order to free the units from
some of their routine work. Further, the fact that a high
proportion of local residents work in London ensures that
many are x-rayed by units operating in different parts of the
metropolis.
A diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis was made in 169
cases (Erith 61) of which 57 (Erith 18) required close supervision
or treatment — an incidence of 1.6 per thousand
x-rayed. The total number x-rayed, however, includes 16,040
persons who had not previously been x-rayed and these show
an incidence for tuberculosis of 2.7 per thousand x-rayed.
One can agree, therefore, with the statement made in the
Survey report by Dr. J. M. Morgan, Director of the SouthEast
London Mass X-Ray Service that "an important step
has been made in reducing the number of unrecognised cases
in the area surveyed." He continues, "It seems unlikely, however,
that more than 60 per cent of adult residents in the
areas have been examined in the last five years, including
those who have been x-rayed elsewhere and in an effort to
reach the remaining 40 per cent, a mass radiography unit is
visiting Bexleyheath weekly, and it is hoped that it will prove
possible to persuade a substantial number of this unexamined
group to attend." Persons attending this weekly session are,
in the main, referred by their private doctors and these
attendances are, therefore, more selective than is the case
in ordinary mass radiography sessions.
I should like to take this opportunity of thanking the
Council for their encouragement and assistance in carrying