View report page

Number of children immunised against Whooping Cough during
the year 1955 was:—
Under 6—12 1 year 2 years 3 years 4 years 5 years
6/12 months and over
15 117 18 6 5 5 9
PREVENTION OF ILLNESS, CARE, AND AFTER-CARE
The work under this Section of the Act is mainly concerned with
Tuberculosis and I am indebted to Dr. H. Duff Palmer, Physician to
the Chest Clinic at Harts Hospital for the following report:—
During 1955, 43 cases of tuberculosis were diagnosed. 141 new contacts
attended for clinical and radiological examinations and 1 adult
and 2 children were found to have pulmonary tuberculosis. The
adult case is of some interest—a boy aged three, was admitted to
Wanstead Hospital suffering from ? food poisoning. On investigation
this was found to be Erythema Nodosum and a primary complex was
also found in the chest. Examination of the contacts revealed the
father to have pulmonary tuberculosis with a positive sputum and
arrangements were made for him to be admitted to Harts Hospital.
This case illustrates the value of the close liaison between the
Hospital, Chest Clinic services and the Medical Officer of Health;
also the necessity to investigate all contacts as soon as possible.
General Practitioners are making more and more use of the services
of the Clinic to investigate all types of chest disease. The total
attendances amounted to 9608, a record number. 3,336 X-ray investigations
were carried out. 44 children were vaccinated with B.C.G
and it is hoped that parents will continue to take advantage of this
very worthwhile method of prevention.
Mr. F. C. Ware, Secretary of Leyton, Wanstead & Woodford T.B.
Care Association reports as follows:—
"The aim of the Association is to remove anxiety from the minds
of tuberculosis patients by helping to solve some of the economic
and domestic difficulties which may otherwise retard their recovery
and to assist similarly those who are substantially and permanently
handicapped by the disease.
The assistance given is supplementary to grants from statutory
bodies, and, after consideration of the applicant's financial circumstances
may take the form of extra nourishment vouchers, payment
of fares, financial grants for special needs, supply of bedding and
clothing and other material help as agreed to by the Executive
Committee.
A review of the activities of the Association during 1955 reveals
that this was a year of continued progress in both fund-raising and
assistance to patients. As a result of raising more funds during the
year than in any year previously the Association was able to authorise
increased expenditure on assistance.
53