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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. D. Palmer, Consultant
Physician to the Wanstead and Woodford Chest Clinic at Harts Hospital
for the following report:—
The work of the Chest Clinic continues as shown by the following:—
Number of X-ray Examinations 4,182
Attendances :
New Contacts 157
Old Contacts 726
Total—Contacts, Notified and Observations 4,298
B.C.G. Vaccinations 76
New cases notified 20
Notified cases transferred in 17
Notified cases transferred out 30
Deaths 6
Discharged Disease Arrested 7
The progressive fall in the number of new cases of pulmonary
tuberculosis is very encouraging. In my previous reports, I have
always advocated that to achieve the ultimate objective of the elimination
of tuberculosis, constant vigilance must be exercised and it is imperative
that we maintain an organised and comprehensive anti-tuberculosis
scheme. This is the continued aim of our Clinic. I would call to mind
the pre-war Tuberculosis Dispensaries, happily now renamed Chest
Clinics. The original functions of a Dispensary were:—
(1) Receiving house and centre of diagnosis.
(2) Clearing house and centre for observation.
(3) Centre for curative treatment and supervision of
Domiciliary cases.
(4) Centre for examination of contacts.
(5) Centre for "after care".
(6) Informaion bureau and educational centre.
The continuing decline in mortality and notification rates of tuberculosis
is due to social advances and preventive measures, as well as the
great progress made in diagnostic and therapeutic methods. While
tuberculosis still claims our attention, its reduced incidence means that
we can apply all the above mentioned functions of the old Tuberculosis
Dispensary to develop a complete service, which will embrace all
aspects of chest disease.
Every type of acute or chronic inflamatory lung infection is now
the concern of our Clinic, together with their social significance on the
patient, his family and the general community. The local General
Practitioner is making ever increasing use of the facilities of the Chest
Clinic and referring cases of bronchitis, emphysema, pneumonia, asthma,
bronchiectasis and lung and bronchial cancers, for investigation and
treatment. Many cases of heart disease also attend, presenting symptoms
such as cough, breathlessness, thoracic pain and haemoptysis.
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