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15 3
The Laboratory was originally fitted up by the late
Vestry in 1899, and since then (up to the end of 191'})
*13,252 examinations have been made, viz.:—Tuberculosis
4391, typhoid fever 945, diphtheria 7,698, and others 218.
The total 2,565 bacteriological examinations carried out
during 1913 deal with 1,484 sputa (suspected consumption),
47 bloods (suspected typhoid fever), 997 throat and nose
membranes and discharges (suspected diphtheria) and 37
other materials, e.g., hairs (2), urine (4), fceces (1) and
smearings of pus (30).
Details are as follow:—
Tuberculosis—
1,484 samples of sputa from doubtful tuberculosis cases
were examined, and in 614 (i.e., 41.4 per cent.) tubercle
bacilli were found.
Pneumococci were isolated in one sample. Pulmonary
consumption (with tuberculous expectorations) was made
voluntarily notifiable throughout the Borough of Lambeth
on (and after) June 1st, 1902, and pulmonary consumption
compulsorily notifiable under the Public Health (Tuberculosis)
Poor Law Regulations, 1908, on and after January
1st, 1909, under the Public Health (Tuberculosis) in
Hospitals) Regulations, 1911, on and after May 1st, 1911,
under the Public Health (Tuberculosis) Regulations, 1911,
on and after January 1st, 1912, and tuberculosis (both pulmonary
and other forms) under the new Public Health
(Tuberculosis) Regulations, 1911, on and after February 1st,
1913. By means of bacteriological examinations, greater
exactitude in diagnosis of tuberculosis (pulmonary) is
secured. The large increase in the numbers of samples
of sputum examined during 1913 is due to the introduction
* 1889, 389; 1900, 703; 1901, 479; 1902 466; 1903, 525; 1904, 447;
1905,1874; 1906, 761; 1907, 786; 1908, 718; 1909, 781; 1910, 605;
1911, 976; 1912, 1177; 1913, 2565; total, 13,252.