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75
ADMINISTRATIVE WORK.
To the Medical Officers of Health of the adjacent Boroughs 556 communications were sent
from the Department giving extracts from reports (" Form 84 ") by school teachers, in addition
to 77 notices relating to cases of infectious disease in the Borough in the homes of children
attending schools in the adjacent Boroughs.
Bacteriological Work.—The number of specimens taken for bacteriological examination
continues to increase. In 1909 177 specimens were examined, in 1910 200, and last year 316.
The greater part of the increase in the number of "diphtheria" specimens has been due to the
number of children who have been brought to the Department for examination after exclusion
from school—"swabbing" being the general rule. An analysis of the specimens received and
the results of the examinations are given below.

In addition to the above work, 39 specimens were examined in the Department for ringworm.
Of the specimens mentioned in the above statement, 102 (32.2 per cent.) gave "positive"
results—i.e., the organism associated with the suspected disease was found—and 207
(65.5 per cent.) "negative." In 1910 the "positive" specimens constituted 245 per
cent. of the total examined.
Offensive Refuse: Trade Refuse.—Under this sub-heading are included the offal and
other refuse produced by fishmongers, poulterers, greengrocers, &c. A good deal of such
refuse is removed by the Council, and it would, it is believed, be advantageous if the whole of
such work were done by the Council. Only one complaint was received during the year, of
nuisance from offal in the course of removal.
Manure.—The usual notices calling attention to the obligation to remove all manure at least
three times a week (viz., either on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, or the other three weekdays)
were posted throughout the Borough during the month of May. Eleven (11) complaints
touching manure were received during the year, and dealt with by periodical inspection of the
stables in connection with which the complaints arose. One summons was issued.
House Refuse.—The rule is to remove all refuse once a week, but during the warmer weather
removal is effected twice a week where recommended by the Medical Officer of Health. Last
year 144 complaints were received by the Department relating to irregularity or infrequency of
removal, 40 of the complaints being addressed to the Department direct, and the remainder being
forwarded by the Borough Surveyor. A second collection each week, at the cost of the Council,
was recommended in 93 cases, after investigation by the Inspectors, in accordance with the
resolution of the Works Committee of October 27th, 1908.