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22
International Certificates of Vaccination and Inoculation
During the year 4,110 requests were received from residents in
the Borough for a certificate of vaccination or inoculation to be
authenticated for the purpose of travel abroad. The signature of
the person issuing the certificate was verified in each case as that
of a registered medical practitioner practising in Wandsworth and
the certificate endorsed accordingly.
The risk of importation of smallpox to countries by travellers
from smallpox endemic areas has caused a tightening up by most
countries of their regulations in regard to vaccination, and in
consequence, many more requests are now being made to Health
Departments for the authentication of international certificates.
Occasional requests were also received for a certificate to the
effect that no recent cases of smallpox have occurred in the area.
Such requests are made by persons proceeding abroad who do
not wish to be vaccinated.
Bacteriological Examinations
All bacteriological examinations are carried out at the Medical
Research Council's 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 during the year. A total of 5,826
bacteriological examinations were carried out during the year on
specimens submitted by general practitioners and by the health
department.
Nature of Specimen No.
Stool and urine 5,087
Nose and throat swabs 739