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
Willesden 1926
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Willesden]
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24
LABORATORY WORK.
Pathological and Bacteriological Examinations.
The agreement entered into by the Council with the Willesden General Hospital on the 1st
February, 1925, is still in operation. The agreement provides for the following:—
Examinations for Diphtheria Bacilli, Tubercle Bacilli, Meningococci, Gonococci, Pus
organisms, and other germs.
Blood examinations for Widal's reaction, or other reactions for Malaria or other conditions.
Bacteriological examination of urine, or other fluids.
Pathological examinations.
Generally any other Bacteriological or Pathological examinations which may be required
by a Medical Practitioner.
Procedure.
The procedure relative to the above mentioned examinations is as follows:—
(1) All swabs and other specimens are sent direct to the Pathologist, Willesden
General Hospital, Harlesden Road, N.W. 10.
(2) The Pathologist, Willesden General Hospital, notifies positive swabs direct to
Medical Practitioners by telegram or telephone.
(3) The Willesden General Hospital forwards to Medical Practitioners one sterile
swab to replace each swab sent for examination.
(4) All applications for the necessary outfits are made to the Pathologist, Willesden
General Hospital, Harlesden Road, N.W. 10.
Outfits—Anti-toxin.
Outfits for sending—
Swabs of suspected Diphtheritic exudate or discharge,
Blood from suspected Typhoid cases,
Sputum from suspected cases of Pulmonary Tuberculosis, and
Supplies of Diphtheria Anti-toxin may be obtained from any of the following depots night or
day:—
Kilburn Fire Station, Salusbury Road, N.W. 6.
Willesden Green Sub-Fire Station, near Public Library, Harlesden Road, N.W. 10.
Municipal Hospital, Brentfield Road, N.W. 10.
General Hospital, Harlesden Road, N.W. 10.
The above outfits and anti-toxin may be obtained during the day except Saturday afternoons
and Sundays from the following :—
Health Department, 54, Winchester Avenue, N.W. 6.
Municipal Clinic (1) No. 9, Willesden Lane, N.W. 6.
Municipal Clinic (2) No. 381, High Road, Willesden, N.W. 10.
Messrs. Beeson Bros., High Street, Harlesden, N.W. 10.
The following table shews the Chemical and Bacteriological examinations made during the year 1926:—
Table No. 12.
| Nature of Specimens examined. | Positive Result. | Negative Result. | Total. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Swabs for Diphtheria Bacilli | 885 | 4,183 | 5,068 |
| 2. | Swabs for Diphtheria (Virulence Tests) | 18 | 2 | 20 |
| 3. | Blood for Widal Reaction | 1 | 21 | 22 |
| 4. | Sputum for Tubercle Bacilli | 90 | 360 | 450 |
| 5. | Wassermann Test | 4 | 4 | |
| 6. | Swab for Meningococci | 1 | ||
| 7. | Swabs for Gonococci | 2 | ||
| 8. | Swabs—Puerperal Fever Organisms | 2 | ||
| 9. | Swab for Bacillus Leprae | 1 | ||
| 10. | Swab from Tonsil | 1 | ||
| 11. | Swabs for Vincent's Angina | 1 | ||
| 12. | Sputum for Organisms | 1 | ||
| 13. | Cerebro-Spinal Fluid | 8 | ||
| 14. | Fluid from Pleural Cavity | 3 | ||
| 15. | Fluid | 1 | ||
| 16. | Blood Culture | 7 | ||