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20
REPORT OF THE MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH FOR 1961
Disinfection
During the year 214 rooms were disinfected after infectious and
other disease, 291 rooms disinfested for vermin, and 97 rooms for
miscellaneous conditions.
Bacteriological Examinations
All bacteriological examinations are carried out at the Public
Health Laboratory at County Hall under its Director, Dr. A. J. H.
Tomlinson, to whom I would like to express thanks for the help and
assistance that he and his staff have given to my Department since
the inception of the Public Health Laboratory.

Contacts of Infectious Disease—Exclusion from work
It is sometimes considered necessary, in order to prevent the spread
of infection, to exclude from work for a period certain contacts of
infectious diseases.
This applies particularly to persons engaged in food handling and
the requisite authority for the Medical Officer of Health to exclude
such persons from work is given under regulations made under the
National Insurance Act, 1946, and the Public Health (Infectious
Disease) Regulations, 1953.
In connection with such exclusions from work, it should be noted
that since the inclusion of Section 26 in the London County Council
(General Powers) Act, 1959, it is now possible, if the borough council
sees fit, to compensate persons for any loss occasioned by their com- .
pliance with the request of the Medical Officer of Health. During the
year, no case arose that necessitated action under this Act but one
contact of infectious disease who was excluded from work was issued
with a certificate enabling him to draw National Health sickness
benefit.
TUBERCULOSIS
Notifications
The total number of new cases which came to the notice of the
Department during 1961 was 352 compared with 395 in 1960.