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* One case each of goitre, abnormal infectivity, diabetes, actinomycosis, hernia and leukaemia;
two cases each of continued pyrexia and general debility, and three cases of dermatitis.
Work done in the bacteriological laboratory at County Hall.
The investigations carried out during the year 1934 are summarised below
under the various headings. The work undertaken in this laboratory is chiefly
associated with the control of infectious diseases in the Council's day and residential
schools, and in addition a certain amount of bacteriological investigation is carried
out on material such as water, milk, etc., submitted also to the Council's chemist
for analysis.
Diphtheria carrier investigation (see also Annual Report Vol. III, Pt. II, p. 40).—
5,883 specimens were examined, of which 372 yielded positive morphological K.L.B.;
of 670 cultures submitted to animal test, 296 were virulent, 46 avirulent and 328
negative.
Ringworm and favus.—634 specimens of hair of the head were examined.
Ringworm fungus was identified in 206 (142 small spore, 64 large spore), including
one case showing also large spore ringworm of body. Favus was identified in two
specimens.
Hcemolytic streptococcus carriers.—(a) puerperal fever contacts—25 specimens
were examined (10 positive, 15 negative).
(6) presumed contacts of scarlet fever—6 specimens were examined (1
positive and 5 negative).
Sputum examinations.—46 specimens were examined, tubercle bacilli being found
in 24.
Urine.—4 specimens were examined, 3 from one case yielding tubercle bacilli.
Discharges.—Urethral or vaginal.—15 specimens were examined, none proved
positive for gonococci, but 5 were reported doubtful.
Water (a) from Council's institutions, schools, etc.—375 samples were examined,
63 being not satisfactory in all respects and 312 normal.
(b) from swimming baths—33 samples were examined from 5 baths.
Milk.—40 samples were examined, 29 being reported unsatisfactory.
Work of the chemical branch.
The work of the chemical branch is carried out at three laboratories, viz., the
central laboratory at County Hall, and the laboratories at the northern and southern
outfall works.
The work done at the central laboratory consists mainly of the chemical examination
of materials of all kinds bought by the Council, for use in its numerous institutions
or for its other activities. The greater portion of these are materials supplied
Central laboratory.