View report page

special cases, quite apart from the routine work which they carry
out in regard to the investigation of specimens, including the
examination of milks and ice creams. Our relations with the
Laboratory Service have always been cordial; this relationship
has undoubtedly helped us in our work, and must be of the greatest
service to the general practitioner.
Mortuary
The position with regard to the Council mortuary at the rear
of the Town Hall is as set out in the Report for 1946. The
mortuary is still being maintained, and is available for use as and
when required. No post-mortem examinations were carried out in
the mortuary during the period under review.
Scabies and Lice
The number of scabies cases reported during the year was
very small indeed. In each instance, it was possible to arrange for
treatment to be carried out at home, under the supervision of the
family doctor. In addition, it may be presumed that we can still
make use of the facilities provided in neighbouring Boroughs,
particularly Enfield and Edmonton, who have generously helped
us on rare occasions in the past. So far as infestation by lice is
concerned, this is a matter which very largely concerns the School
Health Service. Full details of the amount of infestation which
occurred in school children, together with the action taken, is
reported to the Divisional Executive. It need merely be stated
that infestation amongst school children, and indeed among the
general population is very low in Southgate. Low as the total is,
it has been reduced within the past few years. Every case of
infestation is fully investigated and treated. We now seem to
have arrived at a very small hard core of families in which, through
one reason or another, infestation and reinfestation occurs.
The Public Health Department, in conjunction with the Area
Health Office staff, is fully aware of the conditions which obtain
in these families, and pursues an active policy of education and
17