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23
Bacteriological Examinations
The Borough Council provides bacteriological confirmation of diagnosis free of
charge in connection with certain diseases. This work is carried out by the Royal Institute
of Public Health and Hygiene, 23 Queen Square, W.C.1, and by the Public Health Laboratory
Service at County Hall. During the year 220 specimens were submitted for examination
with the following results:—
Disease Positive Negative Total
Diphtheria — 22 22
(Nasal and throat swabs)
Dysentery
(Faeces) 26 171 197
(Faecal swabs) 16 44 60
Food Poisoning
(Faeces) 5 17 22
(Other specimens) — 2 2
Salmonella typhi
(Faecal swabs) — 3 3
(Agglutination tests) — 3 3
Streptococcus haemolyticus 8 1 9
Vincents organisms 2 4 6
Other pathogenic organisms 4 8 12
Infectious Disease Contacts
Where a person is precluded from continuing at work by reason of being a carrier
or having been in contact with infectious disease, benefits under the National Insurance
Act, 1946, are paid only on production of a certificate from the Medical Officer of Health.
One such certificate was issued during the year in respect of a dysentery contact living
outside Holborn, but engaged as a canteen assistant in the Borough.
International Certificates of Vaccination against Cholera and Smallpox
The International Sanitary Regulations adopted by the Fourth World Health
Assembly on 25th May, 1951, prescribe inter alia that International Certificates, to be
valid, must bear an approved stamp which certifies that the signature of the vaccinator
is that of a doctor.
During the year 582 certificates of persons travelling abroad were authenticated by
the Department. Of these 422 were in respect of smallpox, 97 for cholera and 63 for
typhoid,
Diphtheria Immunisation
During the year 160 Holborn children completed immunisation against diphtheria.