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
Kingston upon Thames 1965
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kingston-upon-Thames]
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48
AMBULANCE SERVICE
The Borough Council is not an ambulance Authority, this
service being the responsibility of the Greater London Council. The
service in the borough is co-ordinated from the main area control
centre in New Maiden.
PREVENTION OF ILLNESS, CARE AND AFTER CARE
Tuberculosis
During 1965, 34 cases were reported in the borough and of
these 32 were of respiratory tuberculosis. The 2 non-respiratory
notifications referred to the glands of the neck and the spine. The
corresponding figure for 1964 was 32, of which 44 were respiratory
cases.
On the 1st January 1965 there were 507 cases on the register and at the end of the year this figure had decreased to 478:
| Pulmonary | N on-Pulmonary | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males | 271 | 14 | 285 |
| Females | 168 | 25 | 193 |
| TOTALS | 439 | 39 | 478 |
Whilst it can be claimed that fear and pessimism concerning
tuberculosis have been largely removed from people's minds, and there
is a considerable satisfaction to be derived from the decline in the
number of new cases, there are many cases on the register receiving
treatment and attention at the chest clinic.
It is therefore necessary to remember that breakdown and
ineffectually of treatment are continually possible in these cases.
It is to be hoped that in due course continued effects of improved
living conditions, advances in therapeutic treatment,and facilities
for early detection of tuberculosis by public mass X-ray sessions and
B.C.G. vaccination of school children, will eventually bring the
disease to the point of eradication. It is of special importance
for the middle-aged and elderly to attend mass X-ray units.