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overcrowding, and in one case, a dilapidated dwelling. No abatement of the overcrowding
had been obtained by the end of 1960.
In seven instances there were secondary cases, in two of these the newly notified
patient was the third in the family to develop the disease, and in one the new patient was
the second in the household, but the sixth in the patient's family. Although the home
in this case was not statutorily overcrowded, there was bedroom overcrowding, and the
special circumstances were put forward for consideration by the Council's Housing
Committee.
Of the two cases of overcrowding during 1959, one patient moved to another address
outside the district during 1960, and in the other case the diagnosis was not sustained.
Of the two cases of overcrowding remaining during 1958, one patient moved to another
address outside the district during 1960. The remaining case is still at the same address.
Management of Tuberculosis
For diagnostic purposes, Southall patients are mostly referred either by general
practitioners or from hospital doctors to the Uxbridge Chest Clinic, and if tuberculosis
is found treatment and following-up is instituted from that Clinic. The Tuberculosis
Visitor calls at the home of a patient and submits a copy of her report to the Public Health
Department. Contacts are seen by the Visitor and they have suitable tests, either
tuberculin tests or X-rays, or both, at the Chest Clinic. If sanitary defects or overcrowding
are reported further visiting is carried out from the Public Health Department.
At St. Bernard's Hospital, cases of tuberculosis are isolated in Adelaide Ward,
which has 24 male and 24 female beds. One of the doctors from Uxbridge Chest Clinic
continues to carry out tuberculin testing and B.C.G. vaccination of members of the
nursing staff of the hospital.
B.C.G. Vaccination
B.C.G. vaccination is offered to contacts of cases of tuberculosis, to medical and
nursing staffs of tuberculosis wards, and since 1957, as a result of the findings of the
Medical Research Council in their Tuberculosis Vaccines Clinical Trial, to children aged
13 and over in Southall schools. Testing with tuberculin is carried out beforehand.
The tuberculin test, if positive, shows that infection has occurred at some time during life,
and further investigation is undertaken to verify whether this is active, chronic or healed
infection, as these all give the same result to the test. When the tuberculin test is negative
and in the absence of disease, B.C.G. inoculations are carried out in order to render the
individuals tuberculin positive and, therefore, to have immunity to infection by the
tuberculous bacillus.