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10
Mass Radiography.
The Mass Radiography Unit operated in the Borough from
the Community Halls at Nisbet and Wigan Houses during the
period 9th October to the 15th November. The assistance given to
this service by the Housing Manager, Mr. Goodwin, who went to
considerable pains to further the project, and the Housing Committee,
in arranging for the use of the Community Halls, where
the accommodation is ideal for the purpose, is most valuable and
deeply appreciated by the Public Health Committee. His Worship
the Mayor (Councillor S. Lever, J.P.), supporting as he does every
worthy activity for which his help is requested, was present at the
opening session, and the first photograph taken was that of the
Mayor.
A total of 8,546 persons were X-rayed and examination of the
films showed some abnormality to be present in 343 persons, of
whom 155 had tuberculous lesions of various forms. Of this latter
figure 21 persons were found to have active tuberculous lesions. All
necessary action was taken at the time of the survey in respect of
examinees requiring further medical treatment.
A particularly gratifying result of this visit of the Unit was
that the overall incidence of tuberculosis for the Borough was only
2.46 per 1,000 examinations, a figure that compares very favourably
with the national figure for mass radiography which is over 3 per
1,000.
Detailed information relating to the survey, which has very
kindly been supplied by Dr. D. J. Lawless, O.B.E., Medical Director
of Mass Radiography Unit 6B, is reproduced on page 63 and
these particulars show how valuable the service is in several
directions.
Vital Statistics.
There is no change of particular significance to record in the
death rates except that the cancer deaths continue to increase; the
number rose from 346 in 1950 to 378 in 1951. This is possibly
largely due to the greater age of the population and the better
diagnosis and certification of deaths.
There has been a fall in the notifications of pulmonary
tuberculosis—from 210 in 1950 to 163 in 1951—and non-pulmonary
fron 32 to 20. These are the lowest numbers ever recorded in the
Borough.
A slight increase in the infant mortality deaths—that is,
deaths occurring during the first year after birth—is recorded, from
59 in 1950 to 74 in 1951.
No cases of diphtheria occurred during the year.
Measles showed a spectacular number of notifications—2,168
as compared with 2,009 in 1949 and 1,091 in 1950. The year 1951