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15
In the spring the Mass Radiography Unit of the London County Council was
brought to Woolwich and set up in the Old Parochial Offices, Maxey Road, where
it operated for a period of eight weeks. During this period the total number of
persons examined was 8,438 (5,253 men and 3,185 women). Of these, 5,701 were
Woolwich residents (3,798 men and 1,903 women), the remainder being persons
working in, but living outside the Borough. Of the 5,701 Woolwich residents
X-rayed by the miniature apparatus only 175 were referred for large films; of
these 55 were referred to their own doctors as probably tuberculous, and 12 for
some other abnormality.
The artificial pneumo-thorax clinic at St. Nicholas' Hospital continued its
work during the year. Dr. A. Wingfield, who had been consultant in charge of
the clinic since its inception, was recruited to H.M. Forces in September, and was
replaced by Dr. R. Hartley. The total number of attendances at the clinic was
1,051. Clinics at other London hospitals were attended by 56 patients, who received
1,317 refills.
The number of applications for maintenance allowances received during the
year was 88. On the 1st January, 109 patients were receiving an allowance, 78
were granted an allowance during the year, and at the end of the year 102 patients
were in receipt of an allowance.
The Tuberculosis Care Committee continued its excellent" work of providing
for the after-care of patients and assistance to dependants. Four quarterly
meetings of the full Committee were held, and the General Purposes Sub-Committee
met on 12 occasions. Assistance was given in many ways including the supply of
pocket money, clothing, shoes, extra nourishment, beds and bedding, fares for
relatives to visit patients in institutions, and fees for the training of a patient at
a Secretarial College. The funds come from interest on investments; donations
both from employees of firms in the Borough and from private sources; and by the
sale of Christmas Seals.
Laboratory Facilities. The Council's bacteriological work is carried out
in the Pathological Department of the Woolwich Memorial Hospital. During the
year 633 throat and nasal swabs were examined; 1,187 specimens of sputum; 110
specimens of faeces; 1 specimen of bread; and 10 specimens of ice cream and 14
of ice cream ingredients.
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The practice of submitting samples of water from the public swimming baths
for examination was continued. Twenty-seven such samples were submitted
during the year and apart from some occasional slight over-chlorination, the results
were generally satisfactory.