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C(10) Laboratory Facilities
Examination of pathologist 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
For the first six months of the year, H.M. Coroner continued
to direct bodies to the Mortuary at West Hill Hospital,
Dartford, due to the difficulties experienced in providing
technical assistance for the pathologists at Bexley Mortuary.
The Bexley Mortuary returned to normal operation on
1st July, 1961, and for the six months ended 31st December,
1961, the mortuary accommodated 94 bodies, and postmortem
examinations were carried out in 94 cases. Nine inquests
were held. Thirty bodies were from the Erith area
and post-mortem examinations were carried out in each case.
There were two inquests.
C(12) Disinfection Services
The joint scheme with the Bexley Borough Council for
the disinfection of bedding following cases of infectious
disease, tuberculosis and cancer, and for the disinfestation of
bedding of verminous persons was discontinued during the
year on account of the need to replace the vertical boiler at
Bexley and the fact that the Bexley Council had plans for
the demolition of the Cleansing Station.
The joint application by the Councils of Erith, Bexley
and Crayford was successfully made to the Woolwich Borough
Council for the use of their disinfection facilities until
further notice.
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, a day outing to the coast
was conducted, free of charge. 173 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 one burial:—
Mrs. K. B. Deceased was 80 years of age and died in a
local nursing home. There were no known liable relatives.