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57
Report of the Medical Officer of Health.
were being treated at the London County Council cleansing stations.
In 11 cases where consent was obtained, disinfection of the bedding
and clothing of the patient was carried out by the disinfecting staff.
In addition to the above, 41 other cases were reported to me.
These cases were treated at the baths at the Council's disinfecting
station with sulphurated potash baths, and in every case the disease
was cured. The average number of baths given per case was
three.
Disinfection.
The total number of rooms disinfected after the occurrence of
cases of infectious disease was 5,554 (946 in Clapham, 437 in Putney,
1,434 in Streatham, 781 in Tooting, and 1,956 in Wandsworth).
Five public and four private elementary schools were also disinfected
on account of various infectious diseases.
The approximate cost of working and maintaining the Disinfecting
Station during the past year, including the cost of disinfectants
used in fumigating and cleansing rooms, was £2,702 10s. 1d.
The number of lots of bedding stoved was 2,446
Cost per lot of bedding £1 2s. 1d.
Carrier Cases.
Very few carrier cases came to the knowledge of the Department
during the year under review, but the usual procedure in the case
of diphtheria was to keep the children at home, and periodical
swabs were taken until two successive negative results were obtained.
MATERNITY AND CHILD WELFARE.
Work of Health Visitors.
The duties of the Health Visitors are the same as reported last
year, with the addition of visits with regard to non-payment of
fees in connection with the Borough Maternity Home.
Of the total number of births, viz., 5,570, 4,521 or 81.1 per cent,
were visited, compared with 77.18 per cent, in 1921.
The following table summarises the work of the Health Visitors
during the year in the various wards of the Borough.