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TUBERCULOSIS
Tho number of now cases of tuberculosis notified
during the year was 137, as compared with 130 for 1942. The
Registrar General credits us with 47 deaths, a reduction of 12
on the previous year.
'
Special consideration was given this subject by the
public Health Committee during the year who felt that the
situation created by the increased prevalence of Tuberculosis
needed approach from three points of view (1) what could bo
done only by the Ministry of Health (2) what could be done by
the Middlesex County Council and (3) what could be done by the
Borough. Detailed reports dealing with the matter were
presented to the Committee and the following action was decided
upon under the above headings. (l) That the Ministry of Health
should be urged to take action on the lines suggested in the
Medical Research Council's report, (2) That support should be
given to the Middlesex County Council as the Tuberculosis
Authority in any,action taken up with the Ministry to implement
the above report. In addition it was suggested that the
Middlesex County Council should consider (a) the provision of
an open-air school in the Borough (b) greater attention being
given in schools to breathing exercises and singing as
protective measures from chest conditions in general and
(c) the provision of an advanced cases homo. (3) That
locally there should bo an intensification of our efforts
directed towards (a) increased propaganda on tubercle in the
clinics, etc. (b) closer' co-operation with the Chest Clinic
(c) tuberculin patch-testing of children (where desirable) in
our own clinics (d) X-ray examination of staff (e.g. Health
Visitors) who come in regular and close contact with infants
and children (e) X-ray-of all expectant mothers attending our
ante-natal clinics (f) adequate housing for tuberculous
families (g) provision of panel of women - similar to Maternity
and Child Welfare Home Helps scheme - so that when a mother
of a family enters an institution for treatment, some one is
available to look after her homo and (h) boarding out of
contacts.
Now Cases and Mortality 1943

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