London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Woolwich 1936

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Woolwich]

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125
year 241 children were subjected to the Mantoux intradermal test, and it will again
be seen that those children in contact with a notified case of tuberculosis showed a
very much higher percentage of positive results than where no such contact existed.

TABLE No. 59.

Contacts.0-5 year8.5-10 years.10-15 years.Total.Percentage.
Positive result1432317749.04
Negative Result1929328050.95
Non-Contacts.
Positive result4571619.05
Negative result2724176880.95

X.-ray Examinations.—X-ray examinations are now recognised as being essential
in the diagnosis and investigation of cases of tuberculosis. At the present time
every new adult patient attending the Dispensary is X-rayed, and in the case of
children, all Mantoux positive cases are so examined, furthermore, post-sanatorium
cases are also X-rayed from time to time. It must be pointed out that the figures
shown here do not represent the total use made of X-rays in the treatment of Tuberculosis
in Woolwich, as all patients undergoing artificial pneumothorax treatment
are frequently screened and X-rayed during the progress of treatment, and, in
certain cases, admitted to St. Nicholas Hospital, the X-ray film taken at that institution
is available for the use of the Tuberculosis Officer.
The only alteration during the year has been that, whereas all dispensary cases
were previously X-rayed at the War Memorial Hospital approximately one-third
of the patients are now sent to St. Nicholas Hospital for this purpose. This new
arrangement came into force 011 the 1st July, and during the year, 631 examinations
were made at the War Memorial Hospital and 182 at St. Nicholas Hospital.
Co-operation with St. Nicholas Hospital.—As set out in previous reports, the
Tuberculosis Officer visits St. Nicholas Hospital weekly. This is in accordance
with an arrangement made with the London County Council in 1933 and subsequently
renewed from time to time.
Co-operation with Local Practitioners.—During the year 80 cases were seen by
the Tuberculosis Officer at the homes of the patients, and 308 were referred to the
Dispensary by medical practitioners in the Borough.