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44
Tuberculosis hospitals
Occupational
therapy
The arrangements in connection with occupational therapy at tuberculosis
hospitals and sanatoria were reviewed, and additional staff was appointed to provide
increased facilities for patients at Grove Park, Northern and Colindale Hospitals,
King George V and Pinewood Sanatoria.
Nurses
(ex-patients)
The scheme for the employment of tuberculous ex-patients, which is in operation
at King George V Sanatorium, was extended to include Pinewood Sanatorium.
The conditions of appointment were revised and the title "trainee" abolished.
The scheme provides that under certain conditions suitable patients are appointed
to the temporary staff and after five years' service are placed on the permanent
staff, subject to their medical fitness. The arrangement is working satisfactorily
and a considerable proportion of the staff at Pinewood Sanatorium is now recruited
in this way. It is hoped, at a later date, to extend similar facilities to Colindale
Hospital.
Pathological Laboratory Services

The number of post-mortem examinations carried out by the Central Histological
Laboratory staff during the year ended 31st December, 1938, was 1,075,
compared with 865 during 1937. The number of specimens examined histologically
was 23,862 compared with 24,561 for 1937.
Among the activities of the pathologists the following may be mentioned:—
Work on leptospiral infections of sewer workers; cholesterol metabolism; serological
typing of hæmolytic streptococcus in relation to midwives and puerperal fever; preparation of
endotoxin used in the diagnosis and treatment of whooping-cough; the bacteriology of gastroenteritis
in infants; treatment and diagnosis of asthma and other allergic conditions with mould
extracts; demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system; tumours of the kidney; comparison
of strains of Listerella with strains of Erysipelothrix; the bacteriology and distribution
of the influenza bacillus; types of diphtheria bacillus; bacteriology of secondary infections in
measles; special studies as regards pneumococcal infections and pulmonary tuberculosis.
The total number of specimens examined in the hospital laboratories, as distinct
from the group laboratories, during the year was 316,609 (213,040 in general and
103,569 in special hospitals), an increase of 32,634 over 1937. In addition, 4,766
post-mortem examinations were carried out (4,651 in general and 115 in special
hospitals).
Belmont
Laboratories
Diphtheria antitoxin is issued from Belmont Laboratories as a refined and
concentrated globulin solution of antitoxin in sealed ampoules. The numbers of
ampoules issued were as follows:—8,560 of 20,000 units, 22,095 of 8,000 units and
6,727 of 2,000 units, showing an increase of about 8 per cent. over those of 1937.
Streptococcus antitoxin is issued in sealed ampoules of 10 c.cm. and 5 c.cm.
Of the former, 13,091 and of the latter, 2,177 ampoules were issued.
Reference was made in the annual reports for 1936 and 1937 to the provision
of a new antitoxin establishment. The new building is well in hand, and it is
anticipated that the premises will be ready early in 1940.