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18
ISOLATION ACCOMMODATION —6, BRIDGEWATER SQUARE.
In view of the prevalence of Small-pox it was considered desirable to make
some additions to the equipment at the Isolation Centre established by the Corporation
at 6, Bridgewater Square. The equipment of this Centre has for economic
reasons been kept as low as possible, as it was considered that the probability of
it being required for use was somewhat remote. Only such apparatus as could not
be provided immediately had been installed, and it was the intention to obtain
whatever else was necessary when the circumstances demanded it.
The Corporation has received notice to vacate this building in March, 1924,
and enquiries are now being instituted to discover alternate accommodation.
ANTHRAX AND BRISTLES.
The City was associated during the year with a neighbouring Borough concerning
the investigation of a case of Anthrax occurring in the person of a man
working in Shoreditch who had been handling bristles from China and horse hair
from Russia. Examination of the bristles and horsehair at the place of employment
revealed the presence of anthrax in both. It was ascertained that the Chinese
bristles had been obtained from a firm of City merchants. Samples of these
bristles still unsold and remaining in the City were bacteriologically examined by
Sir Frederick Andrewes, who reported as follows:—
Re Chinese Bristles and Anthrax.
"The three samples were emulsified in broth and a very dirty fluid obtained, which
"was heated to 80 degrees C for 15 minutes. One c.c. was injected, from each fluid, into a
"guinea pig. The animals are unharmed (8 day's).
"Cultures were also made from the heated fluids and anthrax-like colonies grew, but
"none of these on further examination proved to be B. anthracis.
"These bristles are therefore apparently free from anthrax spores."
A subsequent examination made of an unopened case of the bristles at the
premises where the patient worked yielded negative results so far as anthrax was
concerned, and in all probability the infection of both the patient and the sample
of Chinese bristles found contaminated was due to the stock of Russian horse hair
on the premises.
TUBERCULOSIS.
Dr. H. B. Gibbins, who has been associated with the tuberculosis dispensary
since its inception, resigned on April 30th, 1922, and was succeeded by Dr. F. H.
Young, O.B.E., on July 1st, 1922. The following particulars have been furnished
by Dr. Young:—
TUBERCULOSIS DISPENSARY.—The Tuberculosis Dispensary has been
open for the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis of various types on Tuesdays
and Fridays, 12-30 to 3-30; Mondays 5 to 7-30 and Thursdays 6 to 7-30. In all
202 sessions have been held. In addition, the Tuberculosis Officer visits cases in
their own homes when necessary.
NEW' PATIENTS.—The number of new patients examined was 351.
Tliev mav be summarised as follows:—

* This includes all patients attending on January 1st, 1922, who had not been diagnosed or notified as Tuberculous.