View report page

The infectious disease picture has changed materially over the
past few years. This has eased the strain of hospital beds, although
staffing problems are still acute. The principle which we now
adopt in regard to the admission of cases of infectious disease to
hospital can be briefly stated. Broadly speaking, admission to
hospital is recommended in the case of patients for whom con'
tinuous nursing and medical attention are required, or where the
danger of complications and sequalæ is likely to arise. So far as
mild infectious diseases are concerned, we do not press with
admission to hospital unless suitable isolation cannot be provided
in the home, or unless the employment of a bread-winner is affected.
For practical purposes, 'suitable isolation' is defined as the availability
of a room for the patient's sole use. General practitioners
in the district co-operate most cordially in the application of these
principles.
Laboratory Facilities
Summary of work carried out at Central Public Health
Laboratories for the year 1952 :
Positive Negative
Swabs for diphtheria bacilli — —
Sputa for tubercle bacilli 2 13
Throat and nose swabs 159
Faeces 155
Urine —
Blood 7
Others 32
Ice Cream 77
Milk 27
Water (Swimming Pool) 3
Those who remember the pre-war days before the facilities
offered by the Central Public Health Laboratory Service were
available, are deeply appreciative of the speedy, effective services
which we obtain from the Laboratory Service. Not only can we
send specimens to the laboratory at any time; we can also call
upon the laboratory for advice and practical assistance in the
bacteriological study of an outbreak. This is an extremely valuable
service, which has already proved its worth on several occasions.
10