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62
Tuberculosis.
Chest Clinic
A description of the new Clinic was given in last year's
report.
An experience of twelve months in the new building, with its
equipment for complete clinical and radiological investigations,
with adequate facilities from the nursing and clerical point of
view, with provision for handicraft classes, After-Care Committees,
etc., indicates the great value, that such an all-inclusive
Unit can be to patients and General Practitioners in the Borough.
Diagnosis and treatment can now be carried out more quickly and
with greater efficiency.
The X-Ray apparatus recently installed consists of a fourvalve
rectified transformer to operate from 415 volts three phase
A.C. supply. Shockproof switch table with "leads" in an armoured
flexible cable, dual control giving independent settings of milli
amperage and kilo voltage for screening and radiography, with
rapid changeover switch, are included in the equipment; also an
auto transformer giving graduations of control, filament switch
and rheostat, synchronous motor timer permitting of exposures
down to l/50th of a second. A three-phase to single phase transformer
was also added. The couch and screen stand is capable
of long range movement up to 6ft. focal film distance. A LevyWest
fluorescent screen and special cassette support and stool
for seating patients at the other end of the couch, permits of rapid
working and accurate radiography. The Metalix tube is
enclosed in shock-proof shield.
Notifications:
The number of primary notifications during the year 1936
was 257 as compared with 255 for 1935.
Of the primary notifications of pulmonary tuberculosis, in
46.8 per cent. tubercle bacilli were found in the sputum. In other
words, 46.8 per cent. of cases were definitely infectious, and the
smaller this number becomes the better the ultimate outlook for
the individual sufferers.