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39
Tuberculosis.
Although the new respiratory cases notified this year showed a slight
drop and the non-respiratory cases an increase, the most significant
general observation must be that once again this year the deaths showed
a decrease to what must be the lowest figure yet recorded in this district
of 3.
Not only have the total in the deaths declined from a maximum of
35 notified cases in 1944 to 2 in 1957, but in this year only 1 death
occurred within 4 years of notification.
The cases ascertained after death have also declined from 12 in 1951
to 1 this year, surely an index of an increasing trend towards earlier
ascertainment.
The number of cases on the register does not reflect the increase in
the deaths since many cases are added through coming to live in this area
after contracting the disease.
Tuberculosis may be said to be largely controlled but certainly not
eradicated.
The number of cases of tuberculosis on the register at the end of the
year was as follows:—
Respiratory:
Males 476
Females 425
Non-Respiratory:
Males 49
Females 28
978
Romford Chest Clinic.
I am indebted to Dr. S. Thompson, the Consultant Chest Physician,
for the following notes:—
"The Romford Chest Clinic serves the Borough of Romford and
the Urban District of Hornchurch and is primarily a diagnostic centre
for all forms of chest diseases. During the past winter for example
during the epidemic of Influenza a large number of patients have been
referred either with complications or to ensure that their chests were
healthy before the general practitioner certified them fit to resume work.
In addition to general chest work, all notified cases of tuberculosis in the
areas are kept on the Register and are examined at regular intervals.
Any new cases of tuberculosis which are diagnosed are recommended
to the appropriate hospital or sanatorium for specialist treatment. On
their return home after hospital treatment it is frequently necessary to
maintain the treatment already initiated in the hospital and this is carried
out and supervised by the staff of the Chest Clinic. Rehabilitation forms
an important part of the work and the Chest Physicians maintain close