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LABORATORY. FACILITIES.
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The activities of the Council's Laboratory have in the past been limited in the
main to examination of swab's from suspected cases of Diphtheria and contacts of
actual cases, and Sputa for the presence of tubercule bacillus. It had been
desired for some time to establish a bacteriological department on a practical basis
and a much higher standard", I therefore submitted a full report on the matter to
the Public Health Committee and I am happy to report that I was given authority to
proceed with the scheme.
Unfortunately, owing to war-time restrictions, it was not possible to carry out
certain structural work to extend the existing laboratory, but it is hoped that this
may be done after the war. Certain alterations have been carried out in the
existing laboratory and now equipment obtained end a full-time laboratory Assistant
appointed. From the report -set out below some idea can be obtained as to the
work carried out during the year.
There are still some; specimens which will h.ave to be sent out, including those
requiring animal inoculation.
This Department has been of great asistance in School Medical work, particularly
the Open Air School by giving the Medical. Department first hand knowledge ox what
they are dealing with in the vast majority of oases. The Maternity and Child
Welfare Department, particularly the Ante-Natal and Post-Natal Clinics, have
profited Very materially by the information supplied to them, and I have -no doubt
that in future the work of the Laboratory will prove a groat factor in reducing
Maternal Mortality.
Many cases found in the Borough have also profited by the immediate results
obtained which assisted my Department as well as the Medical Practitioners; it is
to be hoped that this service in this direction will increase to a greater extent.
From a Public Health standpoint the immediate information obtained from the
prompt examination of milk samples obtained in the Borough proved in many instances
gratifying, but I note that towards the summer months a groat falling off in the
purity of milk is noticed every year in Edmonton. This will have to receive
serious attention.