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The total number of cases at all ages was 414, in connection with which 4,076
visits were made by the Nurses of the Association. Amongst persons over five years
there were four deaths from pneumonia, five from tuberculosis, two from measles
and one from abortion, and amongst the children under five, three died from
pneumonia and one from measles.
Bacteriological Examinations.
With the exception of those carried out at the Chest Hospital in connection with
the work of the Tuberculosis Dispensary, all the examinations made on behalf of the
Borough Council are by Dr. F. H. Teale at the University College Hospital Medical
School.
In order to enable practitioners to receive reports upon specimens without delay,
a box has been placed on the front steps of the Town Hall into which specimens may
be put between 12 noon and 7 p.m. At 7 p.m. the specimens are then taken by
messenger to the laboratory. Under this arrangement the report upon a throat
swab sent in this way is telephoned to the doctor the following morning.
During the year some 1,309 examinations were made, which included the
following:—For suspected diphtheria 845, for suspected tuberculosis 237, in
connection with the diagnosis of venereal disease 79.
Disinfection.
The premises disinfected numbered 2,030. The articles removed to the Borough
Council's Disinfecting Station totalled 40,802, and included 1,749 beds, 803
mattresses, 3,529 pillows, 1,016 bolsters and some 33,705 other articles such as sheets,
blankets, quilts, curtains, carpets, clothing and the like. It was necessary to destroy
one pair of mattresses, which was too dilapidated to be returned. It was replaced.
The Shelter.
The accommodation provided under Section 60 (4) of the Public Health (London)
Act, 1891, was in use on 41 occasions, in order to facilitate disinfection after removal
of smallpox cases.
Venereal Diseases.
The London County Council is the authority responsible for the provision of
facilities for the diagnosis and treatment of these diseases and special clinics are held
in various voluntary hospitals and in other institutions. None of these are actually
within the boundaries of the Borough, but those of the Metropolitan, the London,
the Royal Free and University College Hospitals are readily accessible to the people
°f Shoreditch. Lists of these centres are displayed in the Public Conveniences in
the Borough and can also be seen in the Health Department.
The London County Council also provides for doctors, laboratory facilities to
aid diagnosis, the supply of salvarsan and its substitutes, and courses of instruction