View report page

TUBERCULOSIS IN CHILDHOOD
The number of children in whom active tuberculosis is found remains small.
A summary of the work of the West Ham Chest Clinic in relation to school children
has kindly been contributed by Dr. D.J. Lawless, the Consultant Chest Physician.
No. of school children referred by school medical officers 4
No. of school children referred by general practitioners 115
No. of school children examined as new contacts 138
No. of school children found to be suffering from tuberculosis 2
The following are the details of the 2 children suffering from tuberculosis:-
1. Respiratory - Active primary pulmonary tuberculosis
admitted to hospital.
2. Non-Respiratory - Tubercular left hip, admitted to hospital.
B.C.G. VACCINATION
The clinical trial of B.C.G. vaccination organised by the Medical Research Council,
and which includes West Ham school children, is still in progress, and the follow-up included
176 home visits by the school nurse.
Since June 1956 all 13 year old children who have not acquired immunity against
tuberculosis (as indicated by their reaction to the skin test) are offered B.C.G. vaccination,
and figures referring to this work are found on page 18.
ORTHOPAEDIC AND POSTURAL DEFECTS
As in previous years children with severe defects were referred to orthopaedic surgeons
and 82 children are known to have been treated at hospital, of whom 8 were in-patients. In
accordance with the National Health Service arrangements, surgical boots and orthopaedic
appliances are provided through the hospital services.
PHYSIOTHERAPY
The superintendent physiotherapist continued on a part-time basis assisted by two fulltime
physiotherapists. One resigned in May and was not replaced for 3½ months.
Children are referred to the physiotherapist by the local authority medical officers,
sometimes at the request of general practitioners. Consultants at hospital refer children
for treatment locally in order to save fatigue, time and expense. The treatment given
at the clinics is mainly breathing exercises, (for asthma and bronchitis) foot exercises
and artificial sunlight. Children with poor posture are often given remedial exercises
in groups.
99