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66
Lambeth Municipal Bacteriological Laboratory : Record of
Work Carried Out during 28 Years, 1899-1926.
On 8th December, 1898, the late Vestry of the Parish of Lambeth
resolved to "provide a local Bacteriological Laboratory for the sole use
of medical men practising in Lambeth Parish," and a room at the
Wanless Road Disinfecting Station was fitted up and equipped for the
purpose, and opened for work on January 1st. 1899, in connection with
the routine bacteriological diagnosis of doubtful cases of tuberculosis,
typhoid or enteric fever and diphtheria, and with other special bacterio
logical examinations as the Medical Officer of Health might decide,
During 1899, 389 samples were examined, and the yearly numbers
increased as follows during the succeeding years :—
No. of
No. of
No. of
No. of.
Year.
Samples.
Year.
Samples.
Year.
Samples.
Year. .
Samples
1900
7.3
1907
786
1914
2,042
1921
1,010
1901
479
1908
718
1915
1,659
1922
989
1902
466
1909
781
1916
946
1923
824
1903
525
1910
603
1917
963
1924
1,019
1904
447
1911
976
1918
75i
1925
960
1905
1,874
1912
1,177
1919
901
1926
973
1906
761
1913
2,565
1920
1036
The growth of the work is best shown by comparing the separate
yearly figures for the first four years (since the inauguration of the
Laboratory) 1899-1902 (inclusive) and those for the last four years
1923-1926 (inclusive) with the average separate yearly figures for the
intervening years 1903-1922 (inclusive) calculated decennially thus :—
1899. 389; 1900. 703; 1901, 479; I9°2y 466 ;
Decennial Averages—
1903 to 1912 (inclusive) ... 864 8
1913 to 1922 (inclusive) ... 1,286-2
1923, 824; 1924, 1,019 ; I925» 96° : i9«6. 973-
The totals of examinations made may be tabulated under the
following separate headings as regards different suspected diseases :—
Tuberculosis 9,574
Typhoid or " Enteric " Fever 1,200
Diphtheria 16,218
Others (Sundry or Special) 327
27,3 19
Full details are set out in the Table accompanying this Report.