View report page

67
Diphtheria carrier investigation (see also Annual Report Vol. III, Pt. II, p. 42).—
Inclusive of 80 re-examinations, a total of 4,686 culture swabs from throat and
nose (with 15 from the ear) of children and adults were examined, yielding evidence
of bacilli morphologically resembling diphtheria in 293, or 6.2 per cent., 4,393 proving
negative. In 4,605 primary examinations the proportion of positive results was
5.6 per cent.; 370 positive or doubtful cultures were sent to the Southern group
laboratory for further examination and virulence tests ; 272 were reported as true
diphtheria bacilli, 215 being virulent and 57 non-virulent.
Ringworm and favus.—An examination of 502 specimens of hair from the scalp
showed the presence of ringworm fungus in 136 (109 small spore, 25 large spore).
Favus was identified in two specimens.
Sputum.—An examination was made of 44 specimens from 34 individuals for
tubercle bacilli. In 34 primary examinations the tubercle bacillus was found in 21.
In 10 subsequent specimens previous findings were confirmed.
Miscellaneous.—In 36 smears from urethra and/or cervix, gonococci were
identified in 3, and 6 were reported as doubtful.
Eight specimens of urine showed presence of albumen in 4, pus cells in 3 and red
blood corpuscles in 1 ; 7 of them were negative on bacteriological examination and
one yielded a Gram positive diplococcus.
Six throat and nose swabs examined for hsemolytic streptococcus were all
negative but one.
Water.—Qualitative and quantitative bacteriological examinations :—
(a) from Council's establishments.—Of 521 samples examined from 35
establishments, those from 21 yielded 169 (64 per cent.) which were unsatisfactory
insomuch as organisms of the B. coli group were present. In the case of the
remaining 14, all the samples taken, numbering 257, were found satisfactory.
(b) from swimming baths.—Of 12 samples examined from 7 swimming
baths, 6 samples from 5 baths yielded satisfactory results. In 4 samples from
one bath at different times, 2 were satisfactory and 2 unsatisfactory. In another
locality, the women's swimming bath yielded unsatisfactory results while the
sample from the men's bath proved fairly satisfactory.
Milk.—Six specimens were examined, all being reported as " unsatisfactory."
In the course of the year, about 85 litres of media, for cultural use, were prepared
in the laboratory.
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
under contract to the Council's specifications, where chemical analysis is essential
to ensure that the quality of the goods delivered is equal to that specified. In
addition, analysis is made of samples of air in tunnels, foods, etc., materials which
have failed in use, and other matters arising out of the Council's undertakings. A
considerable number of samples have been examined in connection with the
Petroleum Act, 1928, and the Fertilizers and Feeding Stuffs Act, 1926.
A systematic determination is made of the amounts of sulphur in air both in
London and in urban areas in connection with the scheme of the Department of
Scientific and Industrial Research for the investigation of atmospheric pollution.
An important part of the work of the branch consists of the consideration of,
and giving advice on, matters involving scientific questions in connection with the
various branches of the Council's work.
Central
laboratory.