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
Lewisham 1963
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Lewisham Borough]
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22
Laboratory facilities
The following summary relates to the work carried out by the
public health laboratory on behalf of the Council during 1963.
Table 15
| Specimens | Number | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Faeces | 985 | Negative |
| 289 | Shigella sonnei | |
| 3 | Salmonella typhimurium | |
| 1 | „ anatum | |
| 39 | „ paratyphi B. | |
| 1 | B. coli, type 026 | |
| Urine | 7 | Routine |
| Swabs from nose and throat etc. | 51 | Negative |
| 6 | B-haem. strep. | |
| 7 | Staph. aureus | |
| 1 | H. pertussis | |
| Cough plates | 8 | Negative |
| Sputum | 1 | ,, |
| Water (various) | ||
| Food | 17 | |
| Total specimens | 1,420 |
Swimming baths
There are 4 public swimming baths in the borough, in addition to
a few club and school swimming baths. The public swimming baths are
shown in the table, together with the laboratory tests taken during the
year.
Table 16
| Bath | Tests | Variation of chlorine (p.p.m.) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorine | Bad. | ||
| Ladywell West | 9 | — | 0.1—2.0 |
| Ladywell East | 9 | — | 0.1—1.4 |
| Forest Hill North | 3 | — | 1.1—3.1 |
| Forest Hill South | 4 | — | 0.4—3.3 |
| Downham | 7 | — | 0.1—1.7 |
| Bellingham (openair) | — | 0.05—0.1 | |
The water used for these baths is supplied by the Metropolitan
Water Board and is sterilised by the breakpoint chlorination method,
sodium carbonate and sodium metaphosphate being used to control
acidity and to keep the pH above 7.2. Colorimetric tests for free chlorine
and pH value are also made at the baths at 9 a.m., 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.
on weekdays and at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Sundays, the results being
recorded on log sheets kept for the purpose. The aim is to achieve a
circulation of water every four hours, although it is rather more prolonged
than this at the openair baths.
National Assistance Act, 1948—section 50
During the year the Council accepted responsibility for the burial
of 5 persons, at a net cost to the Council of £2 17s. 6d.