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134
BACTERIOLOGICAL LABORATORY.
At the Bacteriological Laboratory, during 1914, 2,042 examinations
were carried out as compared with a yearly average for the
decennium 1904-13 (Borough) of 1069.0. The local and central
position of the Laboratory at Wanless Road is advantageous,
enabling the results of examinations to be quickly obtained at a
minimum cost.
The Laboratory was originally fitted up by the late Vestry
in 1899, and since then (up to the end of 1914) *15,294 examinations
have been made, viz.:—Tuberculosis 5,535, typhoid fever 987,
diphtheria 8,536, and others 236.
The total 2,042 bacteriological examinations carried out
during 1914 deal with 1,144 sputa (suspected consumption), 42
bloods (suspected typhoid fever), 838 throat and nose membranes
and discharges (suspected diphtheria) and 18 other materials,
e.g., hairs (1), urine (1), stomach contents (1), smearings of pus (14),
and skin scraping (1).
Details are as follows:—
T uberculosis—
1,144 samples of sputa from doubtful consumption cases were
examined, and in 411 [i.e., 35.9 per cent.) tubercle bacilli were
found. Pneumococci were isolated in 1 sample, and elastic tissue
was found in 12 samples.
Pulmonary consumption (with 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.
*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; 1914,2042; total, 15294.