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of Harrow similarly calculated is 4.72. It seems reasonable to presume, therefore,
that very nearly 1 in 20 of women aged 15 to 44 may be expected to be pregnant at
any one moment.
In the years 1953 to 1957 there were 66 cases of active tuberculosis diagnosed
in women aged 15 to 44, of whom 8 were pregnant at the time of diagnosis. This is an
incidence of approximately 1 in 8; so that the results obtained at Edgware Clinic
suggest that the risk of women having tuberculosis when pregnant is at least as great
as at any other times - and possibly greater - and that the antenatal X-rays are a
wise precaution.
There is a sound case also for encouraging the X-ray of expectant fathers (and
in fact of all adults in the household into which a baby will arrive). During 1957 a
death occurred of a young infant from tuberculosis (the first in the area for a
number of years). The child had been infected by its father who, unknown to himself
and feeling well, was nevertheless a case of infectious tuberculosis. A diagnosis
was made as a result of investigations which followed the diagnosis of tuberculosis
in the child. Had he been X-rayed during his wife's pregnancy this tragedy might
have been avoided.
Carcinoma.
A number of cases of carcinoma of the lung continue to be diagnosed at the
clinic - the majority occur in heavy smokers. In their treatment close liaison is
maintained with the thoracic surgical units at Clare Hall, Colindale and St. Charles
Hospitals and with the radiotherapeutic departments of the Middlesex and Mount Vernon
Hospitals. Those suffering from the disease are usually steady and responsible
middle-aged or elderly people - often with a little business of their own, A large
proportion of the follow-up work and attention to the social aspects of the problem
is undertaken at the Clinic. A number of patients who have had treatment are
encouraged to return to work. At the end of the year 23 were back at work.
Chronic Bronchitis.
Special interest is taken in the clinical, social and preventive aspects of
this problem which causes much suffering. The clinic has acted as one of the centres
in the Medical Research Council's research investigation into the relation between
chronic bronchitis and atmospheric pollution. In the treatment of the condition
close touch is maintained with general practitioners, the physical medicine department
of Edgware General Hospital and the bronchitis units at Clare Hall and Pinewood
Hospitals.
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