London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Harrow 1972
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Harrow]
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58
"bother" their family doctor. It is amongst this section of the population
that the mass x-ray provides its widest preventative role and, in addition
to tuberculosis, a wide variety of other pathological conditions are
identified. Nevertheless, as with all mass screening techniques, a great
many examinations are carried out before an actual case of disease is
found. This is, of course, costly but is surely the price one has to pay for
preventive medicine.
As reported last year the mass x-ray will eventually be phased out,
and in due course facilities will only be available at the request of medical
practitioners. This ultimate withdrawal of the mass x-ray service is also
unfortunate for another reason viz: readily available, quickly reported on
free chest x-rays are of considerable value to employers and this method of
checking the health of existing and potential employees is obviously
extremely valuable. However, chest clinics will continue to provide a free
service to all those working in close contact with children in order to
ensure that such employees are not suffering from infections which could
be transmitted to children.
Throughout the year, mass x-ray units were available at the following places and locations:-
| Mobile Unit—The Car Park, Grant Road, Wealdstone | 2nd & 4th Thursday of each month. | 10 a.m.-2 noon |
| Static Unit —Central Middlesex Hospital, Park Royal, N.W.10 | Monday-Friday | 9 a.m-5 p.m. |
| Saturdays | 9 a.m.-12 noon |
Laboratory Facilities
The examination of clinical material of public health significance is
carried out by the Public Health Laboratory, Neasden Hospital, Brentfield
Road, London, N.W.10 (Telephone: 459-1422). The routine work of the
service is essentially bacteriological, virological and epidemiological.
Routine specimens fall under two main headings:-
(a) "Medical" specimens received from medical practitioners, infectious
diseases hospitals and local authorities. These are specimens of faeces,
throat swabs, blood samples, etc., taken for diagnostic examination from
persons suspected of suffering from infectious disease.
(b) "Sanitary" specimens received from medical officers of health, public
health inspectors, and others concerned officially with the control of
public health. They comprise specimens for bacteriological examination
of water, shell-fish, milk, cream, sewage, etc., processed foods such as
ice-cream, artificial cream and canned foods, imported products such as
meat, fish and fertiliser.