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46
In all cases of Measles, Whooping Cough, and other non-notifiable
diseases in which information has been sent to the Medical Officer of
Health from the schools in the Borough, or on receipt of information
from other sources, it has been our practice for a woman Inspector to
visit at once and inspect the premises and to give such advice and
instruction as is thought necessary to those in charge of the patient. In
this kind of work it is impossible to say how much good is done by this
woman Inspector. Personally, I believe much good can be done under
suitable conditions. I am not prepared, however, to say that this work
has been an unqualified success during the past year in this borough.
These remarks, I wish to say, apply only to infectious disease and not to
the other branches of work carried out by women Inspectors.
BACTERIOLOGICAL EXAMINATIONS.
During the year 53 specimens were received and sent to Guy's
Hospital for examination. 16 of these specimens were certified as having
given positive results, whilst the results in the remaining 37 cases were
certified as negative.
ANTHRAX.
Three cases of anthrax, two of which were in brushworkers using
China hair, occurred during the year. The following letter was sent to
all persons purchasing China, Russian, or Siberia hair from wholesale
dealers in the Borough. All such hair is now disinfected free of charge
at our station:—
"Dear Sir,
During the year several cases of anthrax which have occurred
in this Borough have been traced to infection received in the
manipulation of China hair.
The enclosed bill setting out the symptoms of anthrax has been
widely circulated, so that persons so infected may be alive to the
necessity of early medical treatment.
At the same time we are disinfecting all China hair sent on to
us by the wholesale dealers in our Borough.
I hear that you are interested in this matter.
I am, dear Sir,
Yours faithfully,
G. B. Millson,
Medical Officer of Health."
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