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63
Bacteriological Work.
Bacteriological examinations are carried out by the Lister Institute
of Preventive Medicine, except examinations of material for
detection of tubercle bacilli, which are performed by the bacteriologist
of the Hampstead General Hospital. This latter also makes any
necessary X-ray examinations.
The following is a summary of the bacteriological work carried
out during the year 1927:—
Positive. Negative. Total.
Diphtheria 50 401 451
Specimens of Sputum 52 219 271
X-ray Examinations made — — 49
Non-notifiable Acute Infectious Diseases.
Important among these is Whooping Cough; our principal source
of information is the notifications received from school teachers, which
are passed to the Health Visitors for visiting. During 1927, 4 deaths
occurred from this disease. Measles is compulsorily notifiable in the
Borough under the Borough of Hampstead (Measles) Regulations, 1920.
In the special leaflet which is distributed generally by the Health
Visitors, a page is devoted to these diseases, containing advice, etc.,
and urging the importance of securing medical aid for these cases.
A reference to these diseases will be found in Sections 1 and 7 of
this Report.
Influenza.
In the early part of the year this disease was very prevalent in
Hampstead, and although it did not assume such epidemic proportions
in Hampstead as in many other districts, the Public Health Committee
decided to take action in the matter. Consequently, a letter was
addressed to all medical practitioners in the Borough informing them
that the Council would arrange, if necessary, for cases to be visited by
Nurses if they required nursing, or if persons were too poor to provide
medical attendance, the Council would deal with the matter. The
doctors were also told that disinfection would be carried out in any
case where the patient died, or where a room was vacated after
Influenza. In addition, a communication was addressed to all proprietors
of private hotels and boarding houses in the Borough, offering
to disinfect any rooms occupied by Influenza patients before they were
re-let.