London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Enfield 1921
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Enfield]
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24
VI—LABORATORY WORK.
All the Bacteriological work is done in my own laboratory, including the preparation of media, cultivation of growths, etc. Every sw ab is ''planted'' and grown in an incubator.
| No. | Positive. | Negative. | Percentages of Positives. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
I should like to emphasise the fact that a negative result in the
case of Sputum is by no means sufficient evidence to warrant, the
conclusion that Tubercle Bacilli are absent; it not infrequently
happens that live or six examinations must be made before the
Bacilli can be demonstrated.
In addition to the above, I made several Widal tests, Blood
counts, estimation of Haemoglobin, examination of pus, urine, etc.,
for various organisms, such as gonococci, B. Coli Communis, etc.,
etc.
Although the general opinion is that Hoffman's Bacillus is not
pathogenic, I must confess that I look upon it with the greatest
amount of suspicion, and I do not allow any child showing it to
return to school until two consecutive swabs taken at about one
week's interval proved negative.
Diphtheria Anti-toxin is supplied by the Council free of charge,
and, in addition to the Public Offices, supplies and swabs are kept
at various points in the district within easy reach of Medical
Practitioners.
To indicate its use, I may say that no less than 150 bottles,
each containing 4,000 units, were supplied during the year.