London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
London County Council 1942
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London County Council]
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17
Group
laboratories
| Group laboratory | 1942 | 1941 |
|---|---|---|
| Archway | 34,508 | 27,697 |
| Lambeth | 31,843 | 25,268 |
| Lewisham | 33,186 | 28,207 |
| Joyce Green (subsidiary to Lewisham) | 11,809 | 11,665 |
| Mile End | 26,209 | 19,494 |
| North-Western | 56,712 | 43,314 |
| St. Mary Abbots | 36,972 | 31,221 |
| Southern | 14,208 | 11,562 |
| Total | 245,447 | 198,428 |
The number of post-mortem examinations carried out by the Central Histological
Laboratory staff during the year was 959 (847 in 1941) and the number of
histological examinations carried out was 27,289 (24,997 in 1941).
Research work in the group laboratories was, of necessity, reduced to a minimum,
but the following subjects of investigation may be mentioned: survey of diphtheria
and hæmolytic streptococcal carrier rates in school children; the value of tests
for jaundice and liver function; the use of new culture media for the bacteriological
diagnosis of intestinal infections. Continued investigation into air-borne infection
and its prevention, including cross infection in hospital wards, was carried out by
Dr. Joyce Wright for the Medical Research Council at the North Eastern and North
Western Hospitals.
Hospital
laboratories
As mentioned in last year's report, the work of a number of the hospital
laboratories was greatly restricted and in some cases completely stopped on account
of enemy action. During the present year adequate arrangements have been made
in every case, either for the complete re-opening of the hospital laboratory or for
the work to be undertaken at the group laboratory.
The total number of specimens examined in the hospital laboratories, as distinct
from the group laboratories, during the year was 268,156 (211,727 in 1941). In
addition, 3,211 post-mortem examinations were carried out (2,912 in 1941).
Belmont
Laboratories
Diphtheria and streptococcus antitoxin issued from the Belmont Laboratories during the year, compared with 1941, was as follows:—
| 1942 | 1941 | |
|---|---|---|
| Diphtheria antitoxin 20,000 units | 3,381 ampoules | 4,238 ampoules |
| „ „ 8,000 „ | 1,950 „ | 4,069 |
| „ „ 2,000 „ | 1,361 „ | 1,672 „ |
| Streptococcus antitoxin 10 c.cs. | 4,106 „ | 3,530 „ |
| „ „ 5 c.cs. | 662 „ | 875 „ |
In addition, supplies of various other materials, such as Loeffler's serum, Schick
and Dick test toxins, and other diagnostic and prophylactic materials, were issued to
the Council's hospitals and establishments. The laboratories continued throughout
the year the arrangement with the Ministry of Health to supply materials to local
authorities for the active immunisation of children against diphtheria.
General
Arrangements with the Ministry of Health were continued whereby glassware
and other consumable laboratory requisites and materials were supplied at cost,
for use in the Ministry's sector laboratories. The Council also continued the supply
of culture media and certain other laboratory products to service departments
and certain Crown Colonies. The agreement with the Ministry of Health was