View report page

activity of the Chest Clinic. The disease in the majority of instances is due to
cigarette smoking and could be prevented if this habit was overcome in time.
HYPNOTHERAPY
Regular clinics are held for the treatment of asthma and certain psychosomatic
disorders by this medium. Patients deemed to be suitable in this form of treatment
are selected and seen by appointment.
ANTI-SMOKING CLINIC
At the latter end of the year, a start has been made in the provision of
special facilities to help patients give up smoking. It is appreciated that certain
people who genuinely wish to give up the habit, need help to overcome the addiction.
These people are being seen and helped at regular sessions and, although the numbers
dealt with to date are small, it is anticipated that there will be an increase in the
coming year.
CHRONIC BRONCHITIS
Chronic bronchitis, emphysema and associated conditions are common amongst chest
clinic patients of all ages, but esnecially so amongst the older age groups - particularly
in males. It is the result no doubt of many factors of which atmospheric pollution
is an important one. Previous reports have made mention of the scheme to send some
severe bronchitics to country hospitals with bronchitis units. This benefits the
patient and avoids inevitable admission to a local hospital bed in January or
February when the pressure on beds is at its highest. Further notes on how this
scheme has fared are appended.
During the seven winters 1956 to 1963 during October or November, consideration
was given to recommending the admission to a bronchitic unit in a hospital outside
the built up area of Greater London of middle aged or old men with the chronic
bronchitic syndrome and a degree of respiratory failure. Altogether 45 patients were
considered on 131 occasions and admission was offered on 89. On 53 occasions the
patient accepted a bed. The country hospitals had been asked to keep the patients
from November until February so as to miss the period when smog was most likely to
occur in London. On 6 occasions the patients were discharged prematurely. This was
followed by 2 deaths (33%) and admission to local hospitals with respiratory illnesses
on 3 occasions (50%).
Of the 27 patients admitted to the bronchitic unit on 53 occasions, 4 died in
hospital (8% of admissions or 15% of patients).
Of the 78 occasions, on which 39 patients were either not offered a bronchitis
unit bed or refused the offer, there were 10 deaths in the relevant winter (13% of
36