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National Health Service Act, but no records are called for or
available to the Medical Officer of Health.
Until recently it has been thought unwise to introduce an
official scheme of whooping cough immunisation pending the production
of materials which can be guaranteed as being reliable,
but it is probable that a scheme for this form of immunisation
will soon be introduced.
BACTERIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL EXAMINATIONS.
Almost all the specimens requiring bacteriological examination
in the interests of the public health are sent to the
Public Health Laboratory, West Hill House, West Hill Road,
Epsom, and during 1951 reports were received on the following
specimens:—
Milk, ice cream, and water samples 396
Nose or throat swabs 40
Sputum 1
Faeces
Urine
Vomit 77
Blood
Food
Samples of water requiring chemical analysis, and milk
for biological examinations are sent by the Local Authority
to The Clinical Research Association, while Food and Drug
samples are submitted to the Public Analyst.
DISINFECTION.
The disinfection of bedding, etc., is undertaken at the
Wandle Valley Hospital, while the disinfection of premises
is carried out by the officers of the Public Health Department.
For the convenience of ratepayers, the Council has decided
to arrange disinfection even when this is not essential in the
interests of public health, but in these cases the following
charges are made:—
£1 per load of bedding, etc., 5s. for the first room and
2s. 6d. for each additional room disinfected at the same
time.