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
Edmonton 1912
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Edmonton]
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41
DISINFECTION.
Rooms are disinfected after the removal of the patient by spraying
with a l-in-20 solution of formalin. Linen and cotton articles are steeped
in a disinfecting solution in the room previous to being washed, and
articles of clothing, bedding, etc., are removed in a van provided for that
purpose by the Council to the disinfecting station, where they are treated
in a Washington-Lyon steam disinfector. After treatment, the bedding,
etc., are returned in a separate van used only for conveying disinfected
articles.
Disinfectants. These continue to be supplied to callers on
the same lavish scale as heretofore.
The following should be added to the forms of tender for
disinfectants sent out by the Medical Officer of Health, to firms desiring
to tender for the Council's requirements.
The "carbolic acid coefficient" should be also asked for in connection with disinfectant powder tendered for.
| Description of Article. | Cost per gallon. | Carbolic acid † co-efficient. |
|---|---|---|
| Disinfectant Fluid (in 40 gallon casks), | ||
| miscible with water in all proportions | ||
| to form a homogeneous solution. |
† State conditions under which the test was made, and bactericidal
efficiency tested against a vigorous culture of the Bacillus Typhosus.
Disinfecting Station. The transfer of this from Pickett's
Lock Lane to the Town Hall has been decided upon. (See report upon
Education.)
BACTERIOLOGICAL LABORATORY.
During the year the following specimens were examined and reported upon:—
| Disease. | Result Positive. | Result Negative. | Doubtful. | Total. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diphtheria | 481 | 64 | 2 | 114 |
| Enteric Fever | 1 | 3 | — | 4 |
| Totals | 49 | 67 | 2 | 118 |
*Hoffman's bacillus, 2.
Since April 30th, Dr. Rock has been in charge of this work.
The numbers are much greater than last year, as also those of sputum.