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
Acton 1948
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Acton]
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Having this laboratory so close to Acton is a great asset,
as not only can our specimens for diphtheria, tuberculosis,
etc., be dealt with readily, but also samples of milk can be
taken for the methylene blue test and phosphatase test.
Specimens for Chemical Test are sent elsewhere.
The following Table gives the types, and number, of specimens submitted for examination.
| Type. | No. of Specimens examined. | |
|---|---|---|
| Throat and Nose swabs | 589 | |
| Sputum for T.B. | 50 | |
| Fæces | 124 | |
| Methylene Blue Reductase Tests on Milk and Ice-Cream | 182 | |
Ambulance Facilities.
From January 1st until July 5th, the ambulance service
was administered by the Acton Borough Council. Since July
the Middlesex County Council have been responsible for
this service.
Nursing in the Home.
, The facilities provided by Acton Hospital for visiling
the homes of sick persons to carry out treatment were continued
up to July 5th, and since that date this service has been
aken over and administered by the Middlesex County
Council.
The number of sick persons under care during the year
was 579, necessitating 16,988 visits.
Hospital Provision.
Since July 5th the hospitals serving this area are under
the administration of the N.W. Hospital Regional Board.
Patients are still admitted to the Central Middlesex Hospital
and Acton Hospital, and by use of the Emergency Bed
Service, a doctor can obtain admission of a patient. This
letter method is for acute cases only; the admission of chronic
sick, especially the old, for hospital treatment is not so easy.