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The regular examination of the drinking water at Council's hospitals and
institutions served by private wells was continued throughout the year. In all
cases chlorination is applied, and four cases of temporary pollution of the untreated
water were followed up until conditions again became normal. The regular
examination of the air in the vehicular tunnels at Blackwall and Rotherhithe
showed that the ventilating plant had maintained the atmosphere in a satisfactory
condition, and on the basis of the results the chief engineer was able to make a
further economy in the use of electrical energy by reducing the number of fans in
operation. Statutory work under the Fertilisers and Feeding Stuffs Act, 1926, and
the Petroleum Consolidation Act, 1928, was done as required, and the results of
examinations on atmospheric pollution were communicated to the Department of
Scientific and Industrial Research for inclusion in its reports on this subject. Other
investigations and recommendations were made on: (a) corrosion and scale formation
in a set of Diesel pumping engines; (b) corrosion of sterilisers at a hospital;
(c) several materials claimed to have virtues as waterproofers for building surfaces,
concrete, etc.; (d) the possible carcinogenicity of oils used for floor treatment;
(e) the chemical destruction of weeds; (f) the vitamin content of concentrated
fruit juices; (g) the use of cocoa husk as an ingredient of poultry food; (h) the
corrosion of injection syringes when immersed in disinfectants for sterilisation
purposes.
Sewage
disposal
Analytical work in connection with the disposal of sewage proceeded as formerly.
In addition to the primary sedimentation process by which the sewage was treated
at both outfalls, parts of the flow at the Northern Outfall were further subjected
to secondary sedimentation and activated sludge treatment. The sludge digestion
plant produced a good yield of gas which was used for heating purposes. In order
to obtain information as to the condition of the river Thames, into which the effluents
are discharged, periodical samples of river water were examined, these being taken
at various points from Kew down to the sludge dumping area, the position of which
is fixed, during wartime, by Admiralty orders. The work on the manurial use of
sewage products mentioned in the report for 1941 was continued, but difficulty
was caused from the composting aspect by the very small organic matter content
of the house refuse available; this was, of course, due to the intense salvage
campaign. At the request of the chief engineer the cause of an explosion which
occurred in a sewer was investigated: although it could not be definitely proved,
since the direct evidence was destroyed in the actual event, the most probable
cause seemed to be the ignition of benzole. The need for the most efficient possible
ventilation of sewers was one of the principles recommended in the report on this
matter.
HOSPITALS AND ANCILLARY SERVICES
General and special (other than mental) hospitals
The almost complete freedom of London from air raids during the year and
the consequent return to the metropolis of many children and adults from reception
areas resulted in a large increase in the amount of work in the Council's hospitals.
Throughout the year seven hospitals remained closed, namely, St. Luke's
Hospital, Lowestoft; Millfield Convalescent Hospital; St. Anne's Home; Princess
Mary's Convalescent Hospital; Norwood Hospital for Children; St. Margaret's
Hospital; and the South-Eastern Hospital.
St. Matthew's Hospital, which had been closed since October, 1940, was reopened
on 9th November, 1942; St. Luke's Hospital, Chelsea, which had been closed
since May, 1941, was re-opened as a hospital for chronic sick patients on 1st December,
1942; and St. George's Home, which had been closed since November, 1940, was
re-opened on 2nd February, 1942.
St. Peter's Hospital, which was formerly an acute general hospital, was transferred
to the chronic sick group on 1st September, 1942.