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Skin scrapings from the wrist of an adult yielded pure culture of trichophyton
of body ringworm.
Sputum.—Specimens from 17 adult employees of the Council were examined
for tubercle bacilli, with positive results in 5 instances.
Miscellaneous.—(1) Slide preparations from the vagina or urethra of 21 persons
were examined for the presence of gonococci; 3 were regarded as positive, and in
18 the gonococcus was not identified.
(2) Five throat and nose swabs from 4 persons were examined for the hsemolytic
streptococcus. Each of 2 examinations from one individual yielded a positive
result while the other 3 proved negative.
(3) Cultures from 5 children with ear discharges showed the presence of pneumococcus,
streptococcus (non-hsemolytic), B. proteus and diptheroids, but no diphtheria
bacilli.
(4) Urine from 2 cases of renal fibrosis showed the presence of albumin, low
urea content and some granular casts.
(5) An instance of verminous infestation occurred in a room at the County Hall,
which involved the occupants of the room. Entomological specimens from the
window-sill and adjacent woodwork and a table were identified as the mite
Dermanyssus gallince, a parasite commonly infesting poultry and pigeons. It transpired
that pigeons had nested near the window ledges of the affected room. Examples
of this form of infestation are recorded in the appendix to the annual report for 1931
of the medical officer of health, metropolitan borough of Lambeth.
Milk.—Four samples from the milk supplied to two establishments were
examined bacteriologically. One was reported as satisfactory and one as unsatisfactory.
Water examinations.—Examinations were made of 433 samples from 32 establishments.
The preparation during the year of culture media for use in the County Hall
laboratory included 8,000 tubes or screw-capped bottles of Loeflier's serum and 45
litres of other media.
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 foods, air in tunnels, 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 Stuff's Act, 1926.
A systematic determination is made of the amounts of sulphur in air both in
London and in other 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.