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and continues to fall. This is partly due to the great reduction in
sputum-positive cases throughout the country which is brought
about by early diagnosis and effective chemotherapy, which is
often continued on a domiciliary basis for periods up to 2 years.
The examination of contacts is considerably facilitated by
the provision of the Miniature X-ray Unit in the Chest Clinic,
and this is also used to follow up cases referred from the various
Mass Radiography Units serving the Metropolitan Area.
B.C.G. vaccination is carried out in all cases of children who
are at risk as contacts to notified cases of tuberculosis.
I should also like to mention the services of the Romford and
Hornchurch Tuberculosis Care Association who have done
invaluable work as a voluntary body for many years. Notified
cases of tuberculosis can be registered as Disabled Persons and
thereby become entitled to an extra allowance from the National
Assistance Board if they are rendered incapable of work by the
disease. They are also entitled to the National Insurance, but
these two sources of help, generous though they usually are, do
not cover all cases of need that arise in a family where a case of
tuberculosis exists, and in these cases the Care Association are
able, through their voluntary helpers, to render further most
valuable aid.
BRENTWOOD CHEST CLINIC
Dr. E. Woolf, Consultant Chest Physician, reports as follows:—

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