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(i) Tuberculosis.
During the year it was considered advisable to reduce the Establishment
of Health Visitors by the equivalent of one, and, in lieu to appoint
one whole-time Tuberculosis Visitor for duties on the Harold Hill Estate.
For the remainder of Romford we have the equivalent of 13 Tuberculosis
Visitors.
The final results of the Romford Survey by Mass Radiography
taken in 1953 are shown below:—
Total number of miniature films taken 4332
Total number of large films taken 360
Active Pulmonary Tuberculosis found 8
Inactive Pulmonary Tuberculosis found 107
Conditions other than Pulmonary Tuberculosis found 54
During the latter part of the year, a scheme was initiated by the
ssex County Council, whereby B.C.G. Vaccination was offered, with
1 irental consent, to children at the age of 13 years, with the object of
ving some protection against Tuberculosis before leaving school, and
bi fore entering the age period 15—25 years, which has the highest
sceptibility to contraction of this infection. The selection of children
this age has the further advantage that an opportunity is provided for
i Dservation, before the children leave school.
It is known that a slight infection with the germ of Tuberculosis does
r t always cause the disease, and that in the majority of cases no signs
0 symptoms are experienced. Following this infection, however, a
eater resistance to any subsequent attack of the disease is developed.
3 any people have, without knowing it, already had this infection, and
1 .ve so developed a natural resistance, but some have not. It is possible
t distinguish between those who have, and those who have not, by a
s nple skin test. For those who have not had the infection, it is possible
t induce a similar kind of resistance by the injection of the vaccine,
I C.G. This vaccine is not harmful to health, and local reactions which
f. llow its use are seldom severe.