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out at the Laboratories which serve this area. We are equally
grateful for the fact that an expert staff is available for help and
guidance whenever this is required. Nowadays, one cannot hope
to claim an expert knowledge of all branches of even preventive
modern medicine. It would indeed be foolish to make such a
claim. It is therefore all the more gratifying that we can call upon
the Laboratory Service, and that we invariably receive a prompt
and cordial response to our approach.
1 make it my duty to acquaint general practitioners from time
to time of the laboratory services available to them. Quite obviously,
the more these services are used by the general practitioner,
the more will the community benefit. In time, the fact that
bacteriology is playing an ever-increasing part in medicine will be
fully realised. That time has not, perhaps, yet arrived, but it would
be true to say that the Laboratory Service is now accepted as a
powerful ally in the constant fight against infection and disease.

Mortuary
The position in regard to the Council mortuary at the rear of
the Town Hall is still as set out in the Report for 1946. There is
every prospect, however, that circumstances will alter in 1953. Up
to the present, no difficulties have arisen.
Scabies and Lice
I reported fully on this aspect of our work in the Report for
1951. The remarks set out in that Report still apply.
NATIONAL ASSISTANCE ACT 1948
Section 47.—Removal to suitable premises of persons in need of
care and attention.
No action was taken by the Council in 1952 under this
Section.
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