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39
Forty-two notifications of Tuberculosis were received
during 1953, and thirty-seven of these were in respect of
pulmonary cases. The total number of cases notified is
lower than in any of the ten preceding years.
This fact is especially encouraging when it is borne
in mind that Kingston was visited for 1 month during 1953
by the Regional Hospital Board Mass Radiography Unite
A total of 8251 persons were X-rayed, and 17 cases of
active tuberculosis, 159 cases of inactive tuberculosis,
and 34 cases for further Investigation were discovered.
(These figures do not necessarily relate to Kingston
residents only)
During 1953 no action became necessary under the
Public Health (Prevention of Tuberculosis) Regulations,
1925. or Section 172 of the Public Health Act, 1936.
Very close co-operation is maintained with the
Kingston and District Tuberculosis Care Committee, whose
field of work is coincidental with the North Central
Division The Medical Officer of Health is Chairman of
the Care Committee and considerable assistance has been
given to patients. There is no doubt that this body is
fulfilling its function of helping towards the rehabilitation
of tuberculous patientS.
Tuberculosis is an infectious condition, and the
treatment required to cure pulmonary tuberculosis involves
a long period of rest. When infection comes to the
bread-winner it is a very serious matter for the family
and puts a great strain on financial resources. There
is also the necessity of preventing the spread of infection
from the infected person to healthy members of the family
circle. This requires isolation, very often at home,
for long periods, throwing a further strain on already
limited resources. The Kingston and District Tuberculosis
Care Conanittee was formed for the purpose of encouraging
and assisting sufferers from tuberculosis towards recovery
During 1953 129 families were helped, the form of
help being extra nourishment, clothing, money grants
for removals, bedding, fares, pocket money, correspondence
courses, and miscellaneous items, and a total of £1048
was expended from the funds of the Committee on this
work.