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17.
MASS MINIATURE RADIOGRAPHY.
I am indebted to Dr. Thompson, Medical Director of Unit 6D for the
following report:–
"Introduction During 1958 the Unit examined 39,943 males and 28,016 females,
making a total of 67,959 which is an increase of nearly 4% on the previous
year's figures. Up to the end of 1958 the Unit has examined 288,413 males
and 205,585 females making a grand total of 495,998 since it commenced
operations in May 1950.
Ninety-four cases with significant tuberculous lesions have been
discovered which gives a rate of 1.38 per 1,000 examinees. There were also
discovered sixteen cases of carcinoma of the lung, which is an increase of
approximately 23% on the previous year's findings, and gives a rate of .24
per 1,000 examinees.
The zone of the Unit has remained the same, viz City of London and the
Metropolitan Boroughs of Finsbury and Shoreditch. The modus operandi of
the Unit has continued as in past years - about nine months at the Mass
Radiography Centre, 20, Golden Lane, E.C.1., with the remaining period
(excluding three weeks holiday leave) allocated to various firms and
organisations. As space, electric current and other services have to be
placed at the disposal of the Unit we gratefully acknowledge all the
assistance rendered by the organisations concerned.
Early in January 1958 the Unit discontinued the practice of arranging
separate sessions for men and women, so that both sexes are now X-rayed
during the same sessions. This is a method which has proved acceptable to
the majority of firms.
After the announcement by the Adrian Committee in the Autumn of 1958
that the radiation dosage received by people attending a Mass Radiography
Unit was negligible, the opportunity was taken of emphasising this fact in
our contacts with firms, and others.
Doctors' referrals As intimated in our last Annual Report a new procedure
for Doctors' referrals was introduced in January 1958. Now doctors'
patients can attend the Unit while it operates at the Mass Radiography Centre
without a prior appointment. A supply of the specially designed form was
sent to all general practitioners within our zone. The response has been
encouraging, and has produced an incident rate of 21.4 per 1,000 examined.
Medical procedure. The practice adopted in previous years has continued
throughout 1958. All clinics have recorded their sputum findings and 18 cases
with a positive sputum have been reported, of which 14 were male and 4 were
female.
Where an investigation was outside the province of a Chest Clinic the
co-operation of St. Bartholomew's Hospital is secured, and I acknowledge my
indebtedness to Dr. N.C. Oswald and his colleages.
Propaganda The normal forms of propaganda have been employed where necessary
although in most cases contact with firms has been made by personal contact
or special letters.