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9
Disinfection.
In recent years far more importance has been attached to the
role of the sick person, convalescent, and healthy carrier in the
spread of disease—and far less to transmission of disease by
inanimate objects. Recent contamination by a sufferer, however,
does render these objects infectious for some time and it is therefore
of great importance to disinfect all crockery, utensils, handkerchiefs
and dejecta by boiling, burning or chemicals as may be appropriate.
Library books are disinfected where necessary by the Public Health
Department.
Terminal disinfection of rooms, bedding and blankets is not
usually required after the common childhood diseases. A thorough
spring clean with generous use of soap and water is now considered
adequate.
In certain exceptional cases, smallpox, typhoid and tuberculosis
terminal fumigation may still be required and this can be carried
out by the staff of the department.
Hospitalisation.
Persons suffering from certain severe infectious conditions may
need hospital care and can be admitted to Neasden Isolation
Hospital or to South Middlesex Hospital, Mogden.
Laboratory Service.
In many cases of diarrhoeal disease exact diagnosis can only
be made by the examination of specimens of faeces or blood. The
Public Health Department will arrange for the collection of specimens
and transmission to the King Edward Memorial Hospital laboratory
at the request of a general practitioner.
A stock of nose and throat swabs for the diagnosis of diphtheria
and pertussis is available at the Town Hall for the use of general
practitioners.
Food handlers and other persons whose work entails a special
responsibility to the public often require bacteriological proof of
freedom from infection before returning to work after illness, and
this may also be required from children before entry to residential
schools or hostels.
Certification.
International certificates of inoculation and vaccination must
be authenticated by the local health officer; and certificates are
also regularly given as to the purity and condition of manufacture
of certain medicaments manufactured in the Borough and intended
for export.