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BACTERIOLOGY.
The bacteriological work of the Borough had been carried
out by Dr.E.C. Bousfield from 1898 up to the time of his death
in 1921, when the work was transferred under the terms of an
Agreement to the Pathological Department at King's College
Hospital, Denmark Hill.
In 1924 the agreement was terminated, and fresh arrangements
were made for the work to be done at the Camberwell
Board of Guardians, St. Giles' Hospital, Brunswick Square, S.E,,
where it continues to be carried out.
The nature and extent of the bacteriological examination
work performed on behalf of the medical practitioners of Camberwell
may be understood on reference to the subjoined report of
the Pathologist at the Hospital, Dr. G. Bousfield, which sets out
in detail the number of specimens submitted during the year 1925.
St. Giles' Hospital, S.E.5.
Annual Report on Bacteriological Examinations. January 1st, 1925,
to December 31st, 1925, inclusive.
The number of examinations undertaken during the past year was
5,674, as compared with 4,179 during the previous twelve months. This
represents an increase of 1,495 specimens, or 35.6 per cent.
This has naturally thrown a considerable strain on the laboratory at
times, and will necessitate the consideration of the question of increasing
our staff if the same amount of work comes in.
The analysis of specimens gives the following results: —
Diphtheria examinations 3,002
Percentage positive 15.6
Sputum examinations 2,621
Percentage positive 14.7
Widal blood tests 10
Percentage positive 20.0
Other special tests 41
Total examinations 5,674
The section entitled "other" specimens includes the bacteriological
examination of a number of samples of Grade "A" and Certified Milk,
under the Milk (Special Designations) Order, 1922.
G. BOUSFIELD, Borough Bacteriologist.
There has been in past years an ever-increasing demand for
bacteriological examinations, and the more that general practitioners
can depend on the results furnished, so will the demand
continue to increase.
The number of diphtheria specimens examined last year is
convincing of the importance of bacteriological reports for the
detection of cases.
More than 1,000 specimens in excess of the number dealt
with last year were sent for examination by medical practitioners.
The increase is probably due in some measure to the tendency
at the present day to swab all sore throats and even those which
are clinically diphtheritic. In the course of tracing a carrier who is