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45
The chief work for the Parks Department is the chemical analysis and
bacteriological examination of the water in swimming baths (all of which are fitted
with filtration and chlorination plants), and advising as to procedure in connection
therewith. The water of natural ponds was also tested and soil and other samples
analysed as required.
Parks
Work for the Supplies Department covers a very wide field, dealing with all
types of material purchased by the Council. Not only are samples examined, but
advice is given as to the compilation of specifications. Baking powder, gelatine,
mustard, and other articles of food or ingredients thereof are supplied to specification,
and tendered samples are examined in order that the contract may be allocated to
the most economically satisfactory offer. Some rejections occur : for example,
a tendered batch of tinned guavas was rejected in 1946 as containing an excess
of tin. Drugs and medical supplies were analysed as to compliance with the British
Pharmacopeia or British Pharmaceutical Codex requirements, and some were
found to be unsatisfactory. Oils of many classes (lubricating, fuel and fatty) were
also tested. Modern developments in the insecticides field have been kept under
review, and the use of modern synthetics (D.D.T. and Gammexane) adopted in
specifications in place of older and less effective types.
Supplie»
lhe main connection with the education service is in regard to the feeding
of school children (referred to under Meals Service). Additionally the whole-day
food intake at residential schools was examined; and the testing of water supplies
and swimming baths at these schools might also be mentioned. Another item was
the examination of modelling clays for the absence of lead and other poisonous
metals and dyes. Parties of senior students from secondary schools made educational
visits to the central laboratory.
Education
Steam raising, heating, etc., plants come under two departments (Chief Engineer
and Architect), and the scientific control thereof has developed considerably in
recent years. The chemical branch advises and does analyses in connection with
plants at hospitals, schools, etc. At many premises where water-softening plants
are not available, the "internal treatment" of the boiler water by soda ash and
quebracho is operated ; in other instances phosphate conditioning has been adopted.
To minimise the deposition of calcium carbonate in calorifiers, feed lines, etc., a
preparation of sodium hexameta-phosphate has been used with success. Corrosion
problems have been investigated (e.g. of calorifier tubes), and supervision of the
chemical de-sealing of boilers has been undertaken.
Steam
raising,
heating, etc.,
plants
Many other problems were investigated as required ; examples are the death
,of cows (lead poisoning from paint flakes), and the marking of linen by transfers
instead of marking ink. During 1946, two papers were published in scientific
journals : " The Air of London," by the Chemist-in-Chief, and " The Chemical
De-scaling of Boilers," by Mr. R. H. Burns.
Miscellaneous
HOSPITALS AND ANCILLARY SERVICES
General and special (other than mental) hospitals
Throughout the year, ten hospitals remained closed for the reception of patients,
viz., Downs Hospital for Children, Sutton, Surrey ; Millfield Convalescent Home,
Littlehampton ; Norwood Hospital for Children ; Orchard Hospital, Dartford;
Princess Mary's Convalescent Hospital, Margate; St. Clement's Hospital, E.3 ;
St. Luke's Hospital. Lowestoft; St. Margaret's Hospital, Kentish Town ; St. Peter's
Hospital, Whitechapel; and the South-Eastern Hospital, New Cross. Some of
the buildings were used for other purposes.
At the beginning of the year 8.216 patients were under treatment. The number
rose to 8,739 on 23rd January, 1946, and then fell to 7,607 on 11th September, 1946.
The number remaining at the end of the vear was 8,373.
Acute
general
hospitals