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43
During the year some 1,112 examinations were made, which included the
following:—For suspected diphtheria 897, for suspected tuberculosis 112,
in connection with the diagnosis of venereal disease 45.
Disinfection.
The premises disinfected numbered 1,321. The articles removed to the
Borough Council's Disinfecting Station totalled 13,184, and included 1,128
beds, 401 mattresses, 2,334 pillows, 617 bolsters and some 8,704 other articles
such as sheets, blankets, quilts, curtains, carpets, clothing and the like.
The Shelter.
The accommodation provided under Section 60 (4) of the Public Health
(London) Act, 1891, was in use on 2 occasions in order to facilitate disinfection
after the removal of smallpox cases—2 adults and 2 children.
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 of Shoreditch.
Lists of these centres are displayed in the Public Conveniences in the
Borough and can also be seen in the Health Department.
The times at which these clinics are open will be found on page 9 of
this Report.
The London County Council also provides for doctors, laboratory
facilities to aid diagnosis, the supply of salvarsan and its substitutes, and
courses of instruction in modern methods of diagnosis and treatment. The
County Council further co-ordinates the work of hospitals, public health
services and practitioners, and undertakes publicity and propaganda work
with regard to matters relating to venereal disease.
Though the means for treatment are available, much educational work
remains to be done. Cases not infrequently come to the notice of the
Department in which patients recommended to one of these clinics discontinue
treatment before they are cured, thus running the gravest risk of
disaster to themselves, of infecting their wife or husband and of transmitting
disease to their children.
The number of bacteriological examinations carried out on behalf of the
Borough Council in connection with the diagnosis of venereal disease
during the past five years is as follows: —
1929 69 1932 37
1930 79 1933 45
1931 80