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Laboratory Facilities. The bacteriological work of the Council is carried
out at the War Memorial Hospital. In addition to the number of examinations
made for the tuberculosis service, 746 specimens were examined for diagnostic
purposes in the case of diphtheria, 5 in the case of enteric fever, 2 in the case of
dysentery, and 17 on account of food poisoning.
Disinfection and Disinfestation. The number of rooms disinfected after
cases of infectious disease was 529. Seventy-six of these rooms had been
occupied by tuberculous persons. On account of the presence of vermin,
566 rooms were disinfested. 59,686 articles were disinfected at the Disinfecting
Station. This figure is much higher than usual, due to the increase in Scabies.
Personal cleansing was continued at the temporary cleansing station in Plumstead
Turkish Baths (established there when the cleansing station at White Hart
Road was damaged by enemy action in 1940), and in the cleansing section of the
Eltham Hill Health Centre which was opened on the 1st June.
The increasing incidence of Scabies during the war has been a matter of concern
and a scheme for extended facilities for its treatment and control was adopted in
1942. The scheme included diagnostic skin clinics; preliminary visits to the
homes by women sanitary inspectors ; disinfestation of bedding and personal
clothing ; treatment of persons at cleansing stations (family contacts to be included
in those treated) ; following up after treatment and propaganda work in factories
and shops. A consultant dermatologist (Dr. D. Erskine, Physician for Diseases
of the Skin at Seamen's and St. John's Hospitals) was appointed, his duties being,
inter alia :—
To define the method of treatment and the administrative procedure to be
followed ;
To pay a fortnightly visit to Woolwich to inspect the scheme in being ;
To see at his hospital clinic any doubtful cases sent there for diagnosis ;
To see such cases under the Scabies Order, 1941, as may be referred to him
and give evidence in Court if necessary.
The scheme came into effect at the end of May and worked smoothly and
efficiently. The method of treatment used generally requires two visits only to
the cleansing station and involves absence from work only for the time taken to
attend the cleansing station and receive the treatment.
As was anticipated, the introduction of this scheme resulted in an increase
in the number of cases of Scabies coming to the knowledge of the department.
This increase, however, was more apparent than real and meant, in effect, that
cases which might have remained undiscovered so far as the Department was concerned,
were brought to light and induced to have the necessary treatment.
The Scabies Orderv 1941, referred to above, gives power to the Medical Officer
of Health to examine any person who is or has recently been accommodated in
premises which he is satisfied are in a verminous condition, and to require that
person, if necessary, to submit to cleansing treatment. The Order extends the
existing powers with regard to verminous premises and articles.
The number of school children treated at the Cleansing Stations in accordance
with the terms of the agreement with the London County Council, was 2,388 ; 935
of these children were treated for scabies. In addition, 438 pre-school children
were treated (411 for scabies). The cleansed was 1,775 and of these
1,703 were scabietic.