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24
LABORATORY SERVICE.
Control of infectious diseases, especially those associated with
the intestinal tract, usually necessitate pathological investigation.
According to circumstances, specimens collected are despatched
to the Laboratory of the Public Health Service at Maidstone,
or to those attached to the Hospitals at Bromley, Queen
Mary's or Hither Green. I am greatly indebted to the pathologists
at these establishments for their assistance.

NATIONAL ASSISTANCE ACT, 1948.
Section 47
Removal of Persons living in Insanitary Conditions.
This section of the Act places upon Local Authorities the duty
of arranging the compulsory removal of elderly persons who are
chronically ill and, being unable to fend for themselves, are in need
of care and attention. For this purpose a Court Order has to be
obtained. Fortunately, it is rarely necessary to adopt these extreme
measures. Persons may be persuaded to enter a suitable institution
or it may be possible to alleviate their condition by arranging for
the County Authority to provide domiciliary aid or, in certain
cases, calling upon the help of Old Persons' or other organisations.
Every effort is made to enable these unfortunate people to
remain in their own homes and in none of the three cases investigated
in 1963, was it necessary to effect compulsory removal.
Section 50
Burial of the Dead.
The National Assistance Act, 1948, also places upon Local
Authorities the duty of providing for the interment or cremation of
bodies when no other arrangements are being made. There is now
only a small percentage of the population not covered by "Death
Grants" which enable funeral expenses to be met.