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and the duty of examining the volunteers was undertaken for the most part by the
medical staff of the Council's hospitals. This arrangement facilitated the attendance
of the candidates who were mostly in employment during the day-time and could
only attend for examination after working hours. Those who preferred to undergo
an examination by their own doctor were allowed to submit a medical certificate of
fitness, which was subjected in case of doubt to the scrutiny of the medical officer
of health.
The scheme came into operation in April, 1938, and, between that date and the
end of the year, 10,833 candidates were examined at the hospitals or at County Hall.
Work done in the bacteriological laboratory at County Hall
The work in the bacteriological laboratory in connection with the examination
of diphtheria swabs, water samples, milk samples, specimens of ringworm and favus,
sputum, etc., was carried out in the usual way during the year and there is nothing
special to report.
Work of the chemical branch
The work of the chemical branch, both statutory and otherwise, was carried on
as usual during the year at the three laboratories, the total number of samples
examined being 23,671.
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. Examples of particular instances in which
advice has been sought during the year 1938 are: (a) deterioration of paint work at
a housing site, (b) the most suitable metal for use in a situation liable to abnormally
corrosive conditions, (c) inflammability of various materials (fire prevention),
(d) explosion risks in garages, (e) several hundreds of specifications for paints
submitted by tenderers under a revised guarantee scheme, (f) the effect of flame
cutting of high tensile steel, (g) air in a trial boring in Battersea Park, (h) preservation
of antique plaster panels.
Sewage
treatment
The addition of ferric chloride to the sewage has been continued at both outfalls
during the year, and chlorination of the sewage in certain sewers has also been
carried out with advantage during the summer months.
The load on those units of the activated sludge plant which were in operation
was increased with satisfactory results to 40 million gallons per day for the latter
part of the year, thus lessening the pollution load of the river.
The new sludge digestion plant was put into regular operation in August, and
samples of inlet and outlet sludge were thenceforward examined daily. The
composition and calorific value of the resulting gas were also determined.
HOSPITALS AND ANCILLARY SERVICES
General Hospitals
Appropriation of institutions
On 1st April, 1938, the Council completed its policy of removing its hospitals
entirely from the ambit of the Poor Law by the appropriation of the remaining
six institutions which accommodated chronic sick patients, and which were within
the curtilages of general hospitals, viz.: Fulham, Hackney, St. Alfege's, St. Leonard's,
St. Mary Abbots, St. Pancras.
It was also decided that these institutions should be called hospitals, and that
in order to differentiate them, for costing purposes, from the existing general hospitals
of the same name, the figure II should be added to the name and also to the separate
blocks of wards at Hammersmith and Lambeth hospitals accommodating chronic
sick patients ; while those parts of the hospitals treating acutely sick patients
would have the figure I added to the name.
Planning and development
The undermentioned major works of improvement were completed during the
year and, in addition, a number of minor works were executed:—
Archway Hospital.—Rebuilding of the sanitary annexes of wards 10, 11 and 12,
and additions to Histological Laboratory.
Bethnal Green Hospital.—Enlargement and remodelling of mortuary including
the installation of cooling plant.