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84
or other food are made. It is further proposed to examine samples of
graded milk for the presence of the organism of undulant fever. The
Clinical Research Association carry out the bacteriological examinations
of graded milk under the Spccial Designations Order. The chemical
analysis of food and drugs is performed by the Council's two public
analysts, one of whom also undertakes the investigation of atmospheric
pollution. On several occasions it was found that delay was caused in
the examination of swabs during the week-end. By special arrangement
with the Hospital all swabs submitted on Sunday arc examined and the
result reported immediately to the practitioner concerned.
Legislation in Force.—No additions have been made to existing
local legislation during the year.
Hospitals.—This subject has been fully discussed in recent reports,
details of the various hospitals in the City and the purposes for which
beds were allocated being furnished. As regards municipal hospitals,
these are under the control of the London County Council. One such
hospital is situated in the City, the Sheffield Street Hospital for pregnant
women suffering from venereal disease (52 beds). St. Stephen's Hospital
(750 beds), formerly reserved for Westminster inhabitants, now receives
patients from a much wider area. As regards tuberculosis and infectious
diseases generally, Westminster patients, like those from other metropolitan
districts, are treated in one or other of the many hospitals of the
London County Council, some of which are in the County, while others
are in the neighbouring counties.
As regards the voluntary hospitals, the two outstanding events of the
year were the opening of the further extension of the Infants' Hospital,
Vincent Square—a new Out-patients' department and 50 additional
cots (10 of which are private) with new administrative quarters; the
other, acquisition of land for the new Westminster Hospital with a proposed
provision for 400 beds.
Maternity and Nursing Homes.—There are no such homes under the
control of the City Council.
There are no changes to report in the institutional provision for
unmarried mothers, illegitimate infants and homeless children.
Ambulance Facilities.—The various services were fully detailed in
the report for 1930 and, so far as is known, no changes or extensions have
been effected.