View report page

40
EXAMINATION FOR PATHOGENIC BACTERIA.
Any medical practitioner desiring examinations of specimens for Pathogenic
Bacteria in cases of suspected infectious disease occurring amongst their patients
residing in the City, should forward them to the Medical Officer of Health at the
Guildhall. Arrangements have been made for free examination, and the results
obtained are communicated as speedily as possible.
During the year, the following specimens were so dealt with. It will be seen that
positive results were obtained in 17.7 per cent. of these cases.
Specimen,
Disease suspected.
Result—
Positive.
Negative.
21 Swabbings from Throats Diphtheria 3 18
13 Sputum Tuberculosis 3 10
LONDON HOUSING PROBLEM.
The Mansion House Council on Health and Housing, at a Conference held in
October on the London Housing Problem, discussed the situation at considerable length,
and the report of the Housing Committee contains the following recommendations:—
1. That the Local Government Board should take steps to see that the existing law
as regards housing in London is effectively administered.
2. That steps be taken with the object of securing more effective administration of
the existing law in respect of the improvement of small insanitary areas, and that the
relative powers of the County Council and the Borough Councils be considered and if
necessary amended with a view thereto.
3. That the five Housing Acts be consolidated, including the provisions ot the London
County Council Local Acts, and that any necessary amendments be incorporated.
4. That steps be taken to form a Representative Committee to deal with these two
allied matters generally.
The above resolutions which resulted from lengthy discussions on the subject
embody principles which will be generally approved. They are, however, not of vital
importance in respect of City work.
In connection with the examination of dwelling-houses, special attention has been
given to this matter, and during the year your officers have been engaged on the
inspection of every occupied house in the City.
The regulations recently issued by the Local Government Board under the Housing
of the Working Classes Acts have formed the basis of their examination.
The tabulation as required by the regulations is set out below, and the form of
actual inspection is conducted in accordance with the details contained on the card, a
copy of which is submitted.