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unusual conditions exist within the Borough which favour the
spread of tuberculosis.
In passing, it should of course be mentioned that, although the
incidence of tuberculosis has not shown any decrease, the death
rate is falling quite rapidly. In other words, although just as many
cases are occurring today as occurred, say, ten years ago, many
more patients are being kept not only alive but fit, able to work
and capable of leading a happy healthy life.
Although we did not have a visit from a Mass Radiography
Unit during 1954, a further visit has been scheduled for the early
part of 1955. Indeed, this visit has already taken place, and was a
great success. So many people attended that four further days are
being spent in Southgate during June. The visits to be made by
the Mass Radiography Unit in 1955 represents the first public sessions
arranged in Southgate, with the full co-operation of the Public
Health Department. As these visits come within the purview of
the next year's Annual Report, full details will be supplied when
that Report is presented to the Council.
Arrangements have also been made for all school leavers to
visit the Mass Radiography Unit at special sessions which will be
held for children already attending our five secondary schools during
July of this year. The advantages to be expected from a
check-up of this nature need not be emphasised.
I would conclude by making a special plea for the re-housing
of families in which an open case of tuberculosis is shown to exist.
I fully appreciate the difficulties which confront the Housing Committee
and the Council in providing adequate housing accommodation,
as well as the fact that housing needs are by no means confined
to tuberculosis families. On the other hand, the needs of a patient
suffering from tuberculosis iare not the only disideratum. If a
tuberculosis family occupies premises which are overcrowded, the
risk of spreading infection very greatly increases. No one can say
how far the net will spread, or what the ultimate effect will be.
Thus, not only on humanitarian but on strictly epidemiological lines,
it is of paramount importance that the rehousing of families from
which a case of tuberculosis has been notified, especially where the
patient continues to live at home, should be granted high priority.
I am very happy to think that the Housing Committee has always
given the most sympathetic consideration to my representations. I
am fully convinced that this is the proper coarse to adopt, and that
not only the family but the Borough as a whole will very definitely
benefit.
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