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69
Artificial Pneumothorax.
The number of refills in 1933 was 178 (approximately the same
as in 1932). As mentioned in previous reports the lack of X-ray
facilities on the spot is definitely hindering this useful method of
treatment. It is to be hoped that now the requisite room has been
built, the Council will see its way clear to provide the necessary
apparatus, because there are many cases that cannot be transported
to Buckhurst Hill and back, e.g., acute hæmoptyses,
pleurisies, etc., for whom an X-ray examination is necessary to
decide the form of treatment to be carried out.
Bacteriology.
The number of sputa examined in 1933 was 263 as compared
with 251 in 1932. Again, this year "monilia" was found in two
cases but as mentioned in my report for 1932, no definite
deleterious effect was caused by this fungus, in fact it easily disappeared
(as practically all fungi of this nature do) with appropriate
treatment. Within the last year or two medical literature
has contained numerous observations and opinions on the
pathological significance of monilias found in sputa or obtained
direct from the bronchi, and the concensus of opinion agrees with
my previous remark that on the whole these fungi do not exert
any appreciable detrimental effect upon the patients in whose
sputa they are found.
Several specimens of pleuritic effusion, urine, pus, etc., and
two specimens of cerebro-spinal fluid from a case of tuberculous
meningitis were examined microscopically.
Six blood-sugar estimations were obtained in cases of
diabetes mellitus in collaboration with the pathological department
of the East Ham Memorial Hospital.
The Complications met with and treated were as follows:—
(a) Due directly to tuberculosis—
Tubercular laryngitis 10, tubercular pleurisy 3,
tubercular otitis media 1, abdominal tuberculosis 4,
cervical glands 2, spinal caries 1, tubercular kidney
1, fistula 1, meningitis 1.