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161
BACTERIOLOGICAL LABORATORY.
The Bacteriological Laboratory has proved of great service
during 1906—a total of 761 examinations having been carried
out. The local and central position of the Laboratory is specially
advantageous, enabling the results of examination to be quickly
obtained aud at a minimum cost.
The Laboratory was originally fitted up by the late Vestry
in 1899, and since then (up to the end of 1906) 5644* examinations
have been made, viz:—Tuberculosis 1368, Typhoid Fever
623, Diphtheria 3564, and Others 89.
The total 761 bacteriological examinations carried out during
1906 deal with 230 sputa (suspected consumption), 55 bloods
(suspected typhoid fever), 431 throat and nose membranes and
discharges (suspected diphtheria) and 45 other materials (e.g
6 milks, 3 urine, 1 pus, 1 pleuritic effusion, 31 tinned goods, and
3 scabs (from skin of child and mouse).
Details are as follow:—
Tuberculosis—
230 samples of sputa from doubtful tuberculosis cases have
been examined, and in 63 (i.e., 27'4 per cent.) tubercle bacilli
have been found. In 167 instances (i.e., 72.6 per cent.), no
tubercle bacilli were found. In 4 instances the pneumococcus
(Friedlanderi) was found ; in 2 lung tissue; and in 1 pus cells.
Consumption (with tuberculous expectorations) was made
voluntarily notifiable throughout the Borough on (and after)
June 1st, 1902. By means of bacteriological examinations,
greater exactitude in diagnosis is secured.
*1899—389; 1900— 703; 1901—479; 1902—466; 1903—520; 1904—
447; 1905—1874; 1906—761. Total—5644.
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