View report page

The figure of 60 notifications includes 27 inward transfers i.e cases
notified because they had removed into the borough but who had previously contracted
the disease elsewhere. This leaves a total of 33 new cases of tuberculosis
occurring within the borough compared with the figure of 35 new cases
in 1959.
Facilities for diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis as well
as prevention and after care are provided by the Hounslow Chest Clinic, and
home visiting is carried out by Health Visitors attached to this Clinic. They
are also responsible for the examination of contacts and for the B-C,G. inoculation
for the prevention of tuberculosis. B.C.G. inoculation is now offered
to all the Mantoux negative, i.e. susceptible contacts of newly discovered
tuberculosis cases; 55 residing in this Borough were inoculated during 1960.
A prominent part in the treatment is played by domiciliary chemo-therapy
(i.e. treatment with suitable drugs or injections given at home) on the recommendation
of the Chest Physician, with the aid of the Home Nurses (formerly
District Nurses) provided by the Middlesex County Council.
Apart from institutional treatment provided by the local Hospital Management
Committees of the North West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board in General
Hospitals and in Chest Hospitals, there is also a Middlesex County Council
Hostel for chronic ambulant male tuberculous patients.
Facilities for convalescence rehabilitation and training are provided by
the Middlesex County Council and the North West Metropolitan Regional Hospital
Board.
The social side of the treatment and prevention of pulmonary tuberculosis
is dealt with by the Welfare Department of the Hounslow Chest Clinic.
Tuberculosis Vaccines Clinical Trial
In August, 1960,, the Tuberculosis Vaccines Clinical Trial which commenced
in 1950 and has been commented on yearly in the Annual Report, was completed
In September, 1959, the Second Progress Report of the investigation was publishedIt
shows that B. C.G. vaccination confers a very substantial protection against
tuberculosis which persists for at least 7½ years after being given, and , therefore,
that vaccination of school children will contribute very substantially to
the reduction of tuberculosis in adolescents and young adults.
B.C.G. Vaccination
As a result of the findings from the tuberculosis vaccinations clinical
trial that a degree of protection could be afforded by the vaccination of school
children with B. C. G., a scheme was inaugurated in the County of Middlesex for
the tuberculin testing and, if necessary, vaccination of school children at the
age of 13. During 1960, 905 children were invited to take part in the scheme,
678 consents were received These children were tuberculin tested, and those
found to be positive, indicating a previous infection with tuberculosis of a
minor or major degree at some period in their lives, were referred to the Chest
Clinic for thorough investigation. 151 positives were so referred, B.C.G.
vaccination was carried out on 447 children. 6 contacts of cases of tuberculosis
were referred to the Chest Clinic.
All tests and vaccinations during 1960 under this scheme were carried out
by Middlesex County Council staff.
23