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108
DISINFECTING DEPARTMENT*
Details of work done during 1913, in connection with
the Disinfecting Department, are subjoined. A total of
3,531 infectious diseases, notifiable compulsorily under the
clauses of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, were
reported and dealt with, including cases of cerebro-spinal
meningitis (7), acute polio-myelitis (6), ophthalmia neonatorum
(57), and whooping-cough (1,428), whilst the following
diseases were voluntarily notified by school teachers
and others: measles (1,085), chicken-pox (679), cancer (71),
verminous houses (649), and bedding or clothing (1,386).
and other diseases! (176), 1,753 cases were removed to
hospital.
In addition, 1,571 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis
(consumption), were notified and dealt with—210 ulnder
the old Public Health (Tuberculosis) Regulations, 1908 (Poor
Law), 1911 (Hospitals), and 1911 (Private), and 1,361 under
the new Public Health (Tuberculosis) Regulations, 1912.
The houses were visited and pamphlets left, dealing with
consumption and its prevention, and disinfection was carried
out, as required, in the event of death or removal of a
patient.
456 cases of non-pulmonary tuberculosis were notified
and dealt with in the same way under the new Public
Health (Tuberculosis) Regulations, 1912.
23 schools were disinfected in connection with outbreaks
of infectious disease, viz. : measles, 7, scarlet fever, 14,
diphtheria, 1, and mumps, 1.
A total of 8,098 infected rooms and 29,881 infected
articles (bedding, etc.) were disinfected officially.
*The Staff consists of 1 Superintendent (W. Lockyear), 4 Disinfectors,
4 Drivers, 1 Boiler Attendant, and 1 Yard and Stable
Attendant.
†Mumps, scabies, ringworm, influenza, &c.