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Conclusion
There is apparently a high incidence of tuberculosis in Indian immigrants in Southall.
This analysis suggests that more than half appear to have acquired the infection in this
country. The fact that the majority are Sikhs from rural areas who often may be tuberculosis
negative on arrival affords a possible explanation.
Mass X-ray
During the year a school in Southall was visited by the Mobile Mass X-ray Unit, to
survey the Southall school leavers in connection with the research into incidence of new
tuberculosis in the adolescent. 712 school leavers were X-rayed—244 male and 468 female.
There is now available at the West Middlesex Hospital a static Mass X-ray Unit, the
second to be introduced in Middlesex, and while primarily intended for the use of hospital
patients, there is an open invitation for any member of the public to attend at any time when
the Unit is working, for a check. This is a most useful undertaking and supplements the work
done during the visits of the Mobile Unit to Southall, which occur at intervals of from three
to four years. It also saves the need, in most cases, of reference by appointment to the
Chest X-ray Clinic for a large film to be taken and, therefore, must eventually effect quite a
considerable financial saving.
Dr. J. T. Nicol Roe, Chest Physician, Uxbridge Chest Clinic, reports that in spite of
the steady diminution of new cases of Pulmonary Tuberculosis, it still remains a considerable
public health problem which must continue to be attacked by all means at our disposal.
There is no doubt that treatment is best carried out in hospital, especially in the early stages.
The stay in hospital is less than was necessary some years ago. The taking of anti-tuberculous
drugs must continue for a few years and it is most important that they are taken conscientiously.
With regard to prevention and early detection of cases, contacts both at home and factory
or workshop should have regular X-rays and/or Tuberculin Tests. Full use should continue
to be made of the Mass X-ray Unit's visits to the Borough.
Cancer
It will be seen by the table of causes of death (page 57) that in 1958 139 cases (91 males
and 48 females) died from cancer. See Appendix, Table VI, for an analysis of cancer deaths
since 1934.
Overleaf is set out in tabular form a classification of the cancer deaths according to the
site of the primary growth and in ages.
The total number of deaths from cancer in 1958 rose, being 139 as compared with 113
in 1957. Cancer of the lung in males, again the highest individual figure for site of disease,
was nine more than in 1957.
Distribution of Infectious Disease Notifications
For the incidence of various infectious diseases notified during the year, under age
groups and locality, see Appendix, Tables VII and VIII.
Infectious Disease Visits
During the year, the Public Health Inspectors paid 244 visits with reference to cases of
infectious disease. In addition, the County Health Visitors did a certain amount of home
and school visiting in connection with infectious diseases.
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