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be the possibility that adults, who are much more difficult to
control than children, are not entirely cleared of the disease and
remain for some time as a source of infection in the house, and this
almost certainly is the case in some instances. In every case
reported to the Department the home is inspected by the District
Sanitary Inspector. Disinfection of the bedding and clothing
is performed in the station, and contacts are inspected and required
to attend for treatment if found to be suffering from scabies. If
necessary rooms are disinfected and notices served under the
Public Health Act, and in some instances the family is given
temporary accommodation in the shelter.
SHELTER.
Four flats are provided in The Neckinger for the temporary
housing of families or persons while their premises are being
disinfected. The number of families accommodated during
the year was 37, 1 for diphtheria and 36 for verminous conditions,
the total number of persons accommodated being 187.
BACTERIOLOGICAL LABORATORY.
To a large extent the work of the bacteriological laboratory
consists in the examination of sputa for the tubercule bacillus
and of throat swabs for K.L.B., and only about eight per cent,
of the total number of investigations made were for other purposes.
One or two of the practitioners in the borough do make
considerable use of the facilities provided by the Council, but
generally speaking this source of assistance is rather neglected.
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