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BACTERIOLOGICAL LABORATORY.
The work of the laboratory consists very largely in the examination
of sputa for Tuberculosis and of throat swabs for K.L.B.
We are called upon occasionally to do other pathological examinations
such as blood counts, Widal or Wassermann tests and to
examine urines, but general practitioners do not make as much
use as they might of the facilities provided. Sterile outfits for
throat swabs and sputum pots for the examination of sputa are
supplied free on application to the Medical Officer of Health. All
Diphtheria contacts of school age are excluded from school until
the swab is negative. A positive result necessitates a further
examination, treatment being provided in the meantime by the
general practitioner. Proved "carriers" are usually referred
to the London County Council "Carrier" Clinic at Guy's Hospital.
In addition to the examination of swabs and sputa other
bacteriological investigations are undertaken on request, and it
will be seen from the accompanying table that the number of
these "various" investigations shows a slight decrease this year.
Nature of Specimen Total
Examinations
Results of Examination
Positive Negative
1935 1936 1935 1936 1935 1936
Diphtheria (specimens taken by
Medical Officer of Health) 430 353 23 25 407 328
Ditto (taken by general
practitioners) 1748 1194 111 63 1637 1131
Diphtheria (total specimens taken) 2178 1547 134 88 2044 1459
Phthisis 1244 1280 192 196 1052 1084
Various 355 263 70 34 285 229
Total specimens taken 3777 3090 396 318 3381 2772
FOOD POISONING.
Thirteen cases of Food Poisoning were notified to me
during the year under the London County Council (General
Powers) Act, 1932, section 7.