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little value in diagnosis. The ages of the confirmed cases varied
from 2 years to 66 years and the sick generally were drawn from
all classes. The common means of dissemination of diseases of
this nature is through consuming infected food, and the standard
of crude personal hygiene of all engaged in handling food, whether
in restaurant, shop or home, would appear to be far below what
should be reasonably expected nowadays with soap and water
readily available everywhere for washing hands.
Contacts, Suspects, etc.
The Medical Officer of Health was called in consultation by
medical practitioners to see 10 patients in their homes during the
year.
Municipal Bacteriological Laboratory.
The subjoined table shows in some detail the nature of the
work carried out at the laboratory, which is equipped for practically
all routine and special examinations except those which entail
the use of living animals. All examinations of samples submitted
are carried out free of charge and the necessary outfits for taking
the specimens are also supplied free on demand as required.
Among the miscellaneous samples are specimens of various
body fluids, pathogenic discharges, etc., as well as samples of
food suspected of containing various food poisoning organisms.