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C (10) Laboratory Facilities
Examination of pathological specimens and other laboratory
work for the district is undertaken by the Public
Health Laboratories, Preston Hall, British Legion Village,
Maidstone, Kent.
C (11) Mortuary
Owing to the retirement on 4th April, 1960, of the
Coroner's Officer who, for the past ten years had been providing
technical assistance for the pathologists, H.M. Coroner
decided that bodies should be diverted to the mortuary at
the West Hill Hospital, Dartford. Consequently the Bexley
mortuary was not used from 4th April, 1960, until the end
of the year.
During the first three months of the year the mortuary
accommodated 52 bodies, and post-mortem examinations
were carried out in 52 cases. 12 inquests were held. 17
bodies were from the Erith area and post-mortem examinations
were carried out in each case There were 4 inquests.
C (12) Disinfection and Disinfestation of Bedding,
Clothing, etc,
A joint arrangement is in existence with the Bexley Borough
Council for the disinfection and disinfestation of bedling,
clothing, etc.
There is, also, a cleansing station for dealing with verminous
persons.
In the case of notifiable infectious disease, the service is
carried out free of charge.
It is also available to authorities who wish to make use
of the facilities and in these cases a charge is made based
on the cost of the work.
C (13) Welfare of Old People
The work of the Erith Old People's Welfare Committee
continued during the year and the home visiting and
good neighbourly services were again one of the busiest
activities of the Committee.
Two seaside holiday parties were arranged under the
holiday scheme and, in addition, two day outings to the
coast were conducted, free of charge. 150 Christmas parcels
were provided and distributed.
C (14) National Assistance Act, 1948,
Section 50 (Burials)
During the year under review it was necessary, in
accordance with the provisions of the above Act, for the
Council to carry out the burial of a stillborn premature
child found in an alleyway at Belvedere. The Police were
unable to trace the parents.