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The Wanstead and Woodford Chest Clinic is closely connected with
the Chest Unit of Harts Hospital and as a result, patients are quickly
admitted.
Special emphasis is laid on the need for health and hygiene education
and a large number of informative pamphlets and booklets on
such subjects as bronchitis, lung cancer, tuberculosis, B.C.G. Vaccination
and chest remedial exercises, are issued free to our patients.
Special mention must be made of the Physiotherapy Department, where
the chronic lung sufferer is shown the methods of achieving postural
drainage and is taught chest remedical exercises, to improve his ventilatory
capacity.
A more recent development is the setting up of an Allergic Diagnostic
Clinic, which is of great value in the treatment of asthma, hay fever
and other sensitisation chest disorders.
The following cases illustrate the work of the Chest Clinic
A child, aged 1 year 11 months, was examined as a contact
to his uncle, who was a case of acute pulmonary tuberculosis.
This child was found to be suffering from primary lung
tuberculosis.
Prolonged Clinic observation is necessary for close contacts.
In 1960, a husband was notified and treated for active lung
tuberculosis. Two years later, his wife was also found to
have the same condition. This was discovered by routine chest
examination and further investigation showed that a young
nephew also had developed a primary infection.
A girl aged 6 had a positive Skin Test at school annd was
referred for complete investigation. Fortunately, no treatment
was required. When, however, her father was examined,
he was found to have old-standing tuberculosis and continued
supervision at the Clinic, finally resulted in the detection o'
a positive sputum.
The above case illustrates the value of the Skin Testing routine
carried out by the School Medical Service and the close liaison which
exists with the Chest Clinic. School children found to have positive
Skin Tests in these Tuberculin Surveys, are referred to the Clinic for
full investigation and every effort is made to get the parents and other
members of the family to attend.
Miss R. Harrington, who has taken over the work of Honorary
Secretary to the Wanstead and Woodford Tuberculosis CaTe Association
from Mrs. N. L. Carter, has informed me that during the year the
total income of the Association from all sources has amounted to
£502 12s. 8d. and during the year 44 individual patients have received
help of various kind, including vouchers for extra nourishment, Christmas
gifts, fares to enable relatives to visit patients, settlement of Hire
Purchase accounts and payment of debts. A total of £463 6s. 7d. was
expended on the work of the Association during the year.
Income from sale of Seals, from donations and from special functions
arranged by the Association continues to be satisfactory.
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