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All testing and vaccinating during 1964 under this scheme was carried out in Southall
by the Middlesex County Council Staff.
Mass X-ray
The mobile Mass X-ray Unit paid only two routine visits to Southall factories during
1964, i.e.
Taylor Woodrow Ltd. — number X-rayed 845
T. Wall & Sons Ltd. — number X-rayed 332
In these surveys, one active case of pulmonary tuberculosis (not a Southall resident)
and two observation cases, i.e. showing signs of old disease but no symptoms, were found.
No cancer cases were discovered.
Dr. J. T. Nicol Roe, Physician in Charge at Uxbridge Chest Clinic, renews his appeal
for continued aggressive action in using this service for the early detection of the new case
of tuberculosis. With the further increase in coloured immigrants into Southall this is
particularly desirable, for during 1964 there was again an increase in immigrants developing
active tuberculosis. Further appeal is made and our thanks expressed to the General
Practitioners in Southall for referring newly arrived immigrants and their families for
X-ray and/or Tuberculin Testing to the Chest Clinic. Those exhibiting a negative Tuberculin
Test are offered B.C.G. vaccination.
There are at Uxbridge Chest Clinic X-ray only sessions, to which patients can be
referred by their own doctor.
In view of the continued attraction of Southall to coloured immigrants, it is our
considered opinion that there would be much in favour of a branch of the Chest Clinic
being installed in Southall. There they could be X-rayed and Tuberculin Tested more
expeditiously and with the prospect of better control of the problem.
The installation at London Airport of an X-ray Unit for the compulsory X-raying
of immigrants entering the country with a Work Permit is welcomed.
Patients in the Southall area, as before, are admitted to Harefield Hospital. Dr. Nicol
Roe considers it is still a desirable thing for anti-tuberculous drugs to be initiated in hospital,
as a certain risk always exists towards the development of sensitivity reactions.
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 Mobile Mass X-ray Unit's visits to the Borough.
In addition, the Static Mass X-ray Unit at West Middlesex Hospital, although primarily
intended for the use of hospital patients, extends an open invitation for any member
of the public to attend, at any time the Unit is working. This supplements the work done
by the Mobile Mass X-ray Unit. In 1964, however, it has been reported that the numbers
making use of the static Unit dropped considerably.