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BACTERIOLOGICAL EXAMINATIONS.
The Council renewed the arrangement made last year with
the Clinical Research Association to make Bacteriological Examinations
and Reports upon the specimens of blood for Enteric
Fever and membrane for Diphtheria, for a further period of
12 months, expiring on the 12th November, 1903. During the
year ending December 31st, 1902, 88 Examinations were made
of blood and membrane for Enteric Fever and Diphtheria—
21 for Enteric Fever, and 67 for Diphtheria, at a cost of
£16 Os. 6d.
It is very gratifying that so many medical men have availed
themselves of the opportunity thus afforded by the Borough
Council.
DISINFECTION.
A steam disinfecting apparatus (Washington Lyons) is
provided at the Council's yard, in which all articles of clothing
and bedding are disinfected. The building is divided into two
rooms, into each of which the apparatus has an opening. One
side is reserved for receiving articles about to undergo
disinfection, the other for removing them from the apparatus
after the process is completed.
There are two vans employed, one for use in collectinginfected
articles, the other for returning them, after disinfection
is completed. With very few exceptions all disinfection is
carried out by the staff of the Council, and no charge is ever
made.
During the year 1,076 rooms were disinfected, and 11,565
articles were subjected to steam disinfection at the Council's
yard. Only a few complaints were received during the year as to
damage done to bedding, &c.; every care is taken by the
disinfectors. Most of the articles destroyed was by desire of the
owners. Disinfecting fluid is supplied gratis were required by
the staff.
Table No. 8 gives detailed account of the work done
during the year.