London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Deptford 1908
Report of the Medical Officer of Health for the year 1908
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12
BACTERIOLOGICAL EXAMINATIONS.
The arrangement for the bacteriological examination and report
upon doubtful cases of Diphtheria and Enteric Fever, was renewed
by the Council with the Clinical Research Association of Watergate
House, Adelphi, W.C.
The number of examinations made by them during the year ending 2nd January, 1909, was 173; 159 of them being for Diphtheria and 14 for Enteric Fever, the result being that 59 were found to be positive and 114 negative:—
| Positive. | Negative. | Total. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diphtheria | 53 | 106 | 159 | |
| Enteric | 6 | 8 | 14 | |
| — | — | — | ||
| 59 | 114 | 173 | ||
At a cost ot £3J, 10s. 5d.
DISINFECTION.
In consequence of the action taken by the Boiler Insurance
Company with regard to the old disinfecting apparatus at Knott Street,
it became necessary to put the new disinfecting station in Watson
Street in use, which was accordingly done on 12th February, 1908.
The new station consists of an infected room 13 ft. by 17 ft.,
and a disinfected room 30 ft. 6 in. by 17 ft., two van sheds, a store
room, bathroom, and w.c.
The old machine and boiler after having been repaired was
brought to Watson Street, so that now there are two machines and
two boilers for use, both Washington-Lyons. They are so
connected that either boiler can supply steam to either machine.
The vacuum apparatus has been so connected as to make it available
for the old machine as well as the new one. The recording gauge
has also been connected up in a similar manner.
For such infected articles which would be injured by steam—
leather goods, furs, boots, books, &c., are disinfected by formic
aldehyde, volotised in an alformant-lamp in a specially constructed
zinc-lined chamber.
There are two vans employed, one used for collecting infected
articles, and the other for returning them after disinfection is completed.
With very few exceptions, all disinfection is carried out
by the staff of the Council, and no charge is made.
The number of rooms disinfected by the Council's staff during
the year was 1,532. The number of articles of bedding, clothing,
&cc., disinfected at the Council's yard being 11,618. Disinfecting
fluid is supplied gratis where required.