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40
X-Ray Examinations of the Chest.
The number of these examinations, 1,628 for 1944, is, excluding
1943, the highest recorded since the war. These X-ray examinations
in conjunction with careful clinical, bacteriological and ancillary
examinations, continue to assist us in classifying the various pulmonary
diseases encountered, and afford a means of selecting them for
appropriate treatments. Technically satisfactory radiographs continue
to be our aim, thanks to the high standard maintained by our
Radiographer.
Treatment of Cases Found Through Mass Radiography.
It was only to be expected that with the extension of mass
radiography there would be an increased demand for admission
to sanatoria. This has added to our waiting list, more particularly
among women, but it is important to note that most cases thus
discovered are in the early stages of the disease and accordingly very
amenable to treatment.
Financial Allowances in Tuberculosis.
This scheme, closely linked to the discovery of the early case
of pulmonary tuberculosis, assists enormously in our work, and has
proved a valuable incentive to the patient to accept treatment at
an early stage and be free from anxiety and worry instead of continuing
to work at the risk of complete breakdown. As a long term programme
it should greatly assist in restoring patients to health and
to their normal working capacity. As stated in my last report, its
extension to a wider variety of cases of pulmonary tuberculosis,
other than the very early ones, and a more generous allowance, would
greatly add to its real value. Moreover, if the scheme were extended
to cover cases of non-pulmonary tuberculosis it would greatly assist
us in our work.
Investigation into the Value of Sulphapyridine in the Treatment
of Pulmonary Tuberculosis. (M. &B.693).
The use of the sulphonamide group of drugs has proved so
successful in many infections due to pyogenic organisms that it has
been a natural development for these chemical agents to be used in
lesions due to the tubercle bacillus. Practically all previous work
has been conducted on animals or on cultures of the bacillus, but an
attempt has been made to treat pulmonary tuberculosis in the human