[Report 1932] / Monmouthshire County Council.

  • Monmouthshire County Council
Date:
1932
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1932] / Monmouthshire County Council. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    112/138 page 104
    have always been a great believer in contact examination, and there is no doubt that this ought to be carried out thoroughly. In spite of all our efforts, only 2 I contacts per definite case of Tuberculosis were examined. In 1932 out of 466 adult contacts examined, 14 were found to have active Tuberculosis all being discovered in a much earlier stage than if they had carried on until they felt so ill that they were obliged to call in their own doctor. But the number of contacts who have previously been examined in this area number some thousands and it is quite impossible to examine them all at regular intervals. Undoubtedly, in most cases, it is unnecessary, provided that at the very first symptoms of ill health the contact will report for examination. Unfortunately, most do not do this. During the year, several contacts examined in previous years and found free from active Tuberculosis have attended again and found to have definite disease. Most of the new cases have been in Intimate contact with Tuberculosis cases of which we know nothing. The whole problem is difficult, but, in my opinion, one of the most hopeful solutions is to continue with thorough contact examination—tuberculin tests and X-ray examination being essential—and in time we may get more Information as to which type of case is likely to develop active Tuberculosis. It may be said here, that although there is so much distress in the area, very few cases of people not getting enough to eat have been met with. These have mostly been in people not of the poorest class, who have been trying to keep up appearances. The clothing problem is a very real one. Supplies of clothes and boots have in many cases worn out. Relief money provides enough food, but not clothing. Several patients recently have said that they have had to borrow clothes to attend the Institute for examination, and that they are quite unable to get enough clothes to go into Hospital or Sanatorium. The Public Assistance Committees have rendered very material help in many of these cases. The standard of diagnosis and treatment remain as before. Steadily increas- ing use is being made of the X-ray apparatus. Tuberculin tests are still very extensively employed. The Intradermal test is being used to an Increasing extent. Instead of the Von Pirquet. Little active treatment is possible at the Institute and Visiting Stations, and all suitable cases are sent to Hospital or Sanatorium,
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