[Report 1956] / Medical Officer of Health, Wigan County Borough.

  • Wigan (England). County Borough Council.
Date:
1956
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1956] / Medical Officer of Health, Wigan County Borough. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    56/124 (page 50)
    All cases of death from respiratory tuberculosis which remained un¬ notified during life are the subject of special contact investigations. The responsibility of the Council for providing care and after-care services at present is being discharged through a voluntary Care Committee. The aims of this Committee may be stated as follows :— 1. To provide extra nourishments, nursing utensils, wheel chairs, etc. 2. To help in providing extra clothing needed by the patients, especially when they go into sanatorium and on their return home. 3. To visit and give friendly advice. 4. To assist in educating public opinion in matters of health in regard to Tuberculosis. 5. To give assistance in providing tools in cases where tuberculous persons entering into employment are not so assisted by the Ministry of Labour. The Chest Physician acts as an honorary Medical Officer to this Committee. During the year arrangements were continued for organised classes in all manner of light craft work and sewing. These were well attended and should form a prominent feature of the work of the Committee in the future, although we lack a suitable building where fixed equipment can be erected. Housing of Tuberculous Cases During the year 15 cases of Infectious Tuberculosis involving 12 families residing in houses where this disease was known to exist were re-housed in accommodation which ensured adequate isolation. Visits were paid to a large number of dwellings following reports of suspected tuberculosis and a thorough investigation was carried out in each case. In every instance contact was made with the Consultant Chest Physician who gave every assistance in arriving at a decision as to the degree of priority to be given in each case submitted to the Committee. Rehabilitation Very few known sputum positive cases are actually employed in per¬ manent positions, and constant supervision by the Tuberculosis Health Visitor ensures that these few do not become a danger to other susceptible groups. Cases who are fit for light work are referred to the Disablement Rehabilita¬ tion Officer with suitable recommendation. Patients have been admitted for training and colonization at Barrowmere Hall, the local health authority undertaking part maintenance. Bacille Calmette Guerin Vaccination At present this is limited to hospital staff, contacts and children of infected families. The Chest Physician has supplied the following figures showing the numbers dealt with during 1956 :— Children under 15 years of age :— Total No. Skin Patch Doctors Contacts Positive Negative B.C.G. tested 231 Requests 52 149 122 109 V accinated 53 51 children were re-patch tested after B.C.G.—all showed a positive skin reaction. These figures do not include work carried out amongst hospital staff,