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administrative work. 63
Bacteriological Examinations.—Last year 200 specimens were received for bacteriological
examination, as compared with 177 in 1909. (See below.) The increase was
due to the larger number of specimens of sputum, 54 being received last year, or more
than double the number sent in during the previous year.

Increased expenditure on bacteriological work means real economy. A practitioner
suspecting (say) diphtheria would, in the absence of facilities for bacteriological test, send the
patient to the hospital as a matter of precaution. Moreover, relatives and others are spared
much anxiety and unnecessary expenditure by the removal of doubt as to the nature of the
disease.
In the case of pulmonary tuberculosis, the value of the test lies in the other direction.
The prospect of recovery is greatly improved by early diagnosis and treatment. Hence it is
to the advantage of the patient and public alike that, in suspected cases of the disease, resort
to bacteriology should be had not merely once but repeatedly until it is humanly certain that
the tuberculosis bacillus is not present.
Offensive Refuse: Trade Refuse.—Under this sub-heading are included the offal and
other refuse produced by fishmongers, poulterers, greengrocers, etc. A good deal of such
refuse is removed by the Council, and it would, it is believed, be advantageous if the whole of
such work were done by the Council. Only one complaint was received during the year, of
nuisance from offal in the course of removal.
Manure.—The usual notices calling attention to the obligation to remove all manure at
least three times a week (viz., either on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, or the other three
week days) were posted throughout the Borough during the month of May. Sixteen (16)
complaints touching manure were received during the year, and dealt with by periodical
inspection of the stables in connection with which the complaints arose. With the increase
in motor traffic the amount of manure is much reduced, and doubtless it will not be long
before manure merchants will be required to pay for the manure removed, as in former days,
instead of being paid to take it away. As soon as the supplv falls to the level of the demand
all difficulty about the removal of manure will, it is anticipated, disappear.
House Refiise.—The rule is to remove all refuse once a week, but during the warmer
weather removal is effected twice a week from a considerable proportion of the houses. Last
year 91 complaints were received by the Department relating to irregularity or infrequency
of removal, 23 of the complaints being addressed to the Department direct, and the remainder
being forwarded by the Borough Surveyor. A second collection each week, at the
cost of the Council, was recommended in 65 cases, after investigation by the Inspectors, in
accordance with the resolution of the Works Committee of October 27th, 1908.
Trade Nuisance.—Five (5) complaints of an ordinary character were received with
reference to marine stores (one complaint), fishcuring (2), refuse burning (2), and a large