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36
BACTERIOLOGICAL EXAMINATIONS.
Bacteriological examinations were made by Dr. Bulloch at the London Hospital
Medical School in 32 cases of suspected infectious disease. In 21 instances the
disease suspected was diphtheria, in 8 typhoid fever, in 2 paratyphoid fever, and in
one consumption. The results were positive in 5 of the cases suspected to be diphtheria
and in one of the cases suspected to be typhoid fever. All the rest were negative.
DISINFECTION.
During 1905 some 1,472 premises were disinfected. The number of articles
removed and disinfected1 at the Borough Disinfecting Station amounted to 33,745, as
compared with 14,063 in 1904, 8,911 in 1903, 55,025 in 1902 (the year of small-pox outbreak),
and 17,226 in 1901. The. articles disinfected included 1,780 beds, 2,330
mattresses, 3,527 pillows, 1,361 bolsters, and 24,747 miscellaneous articles, including
clothing, linen, carpets, curtains, and the like. In some instances bedding is
found, besides being infectious, so contaminated with discharges, or in such a wornout
and filthy condition, that it is necessary for it to be destroyed. During the year
eight beds and twenty-eight mattresses were so destroyed, being burnt in a furnace at the
Di.-infecting Station. All bedding destroyed was replaced with new.
Besides disinfecting in cases of scarlet fever, small-pox, diphtheria and typhoid
fever, a large amount of disinfection is now arried out in connection with cases of measles
and phthisis. Moreover, in a number of cases clothing from verminous houses was
disinfected during the year. The large amount of disinfection carried out in
1905 was mainly the result of the prevalence of scarlet fever.
No complaints were received as to any damage caused by the measures taken for
disinfection during the year.

The Shelter was in use on six occasions by 20 persons belonging to 8 families,