View report page

15
made for the tuberculosis service, 618 specimens were examined for diagnostic purposes
in the case of diphtheria, 1 in the case of enteric fever, 10 in the case of
dysentery and 4 on account of food poisoning.
Disinfection and Disinfestation. The number of rooms disinfected after
cases of infectious disease was 646, of which 81 had been occupied by tuberculous
persons. On account of the presence of vermin, 803 rooms were disinfested.
78,455 articles were treated at the disinfecting station. Personal cleansing was
continued at the temporary cleansing station at the Plumstead Turkish Baths
and at the cleansing section of the Eltham Hill Health Centre.
In July the Ministry of Health issued a circular on head infestation by lice
It was suggested that the health visitors should include the examination of children's
heads as part of their work. In Woolwich, it has always been the practice for the
health visitors to carry out such examinations where necessary, to give advice to.
the mother, and to arrange for any necessary treatment at the cleansing stations.
There was a further increase in scabies, but the increase was small compared
with that in 1942. The scheme for diagnosis and treatment, which commenced
in May, 1942 (reported in the Annual Report for that year) continued in being.
On the whole, treatment for scabies is now readily accepted by a large proportion
of the contacts as well as the clinically infected cases. In May, the disinfestation
of bedding for scabies was discontinued, except for special cases, and ironing or
washing at home substituted. The objections of some of the families to treatment
were removed, when it was known that "the van" would not be calling at the
house. The relapse rate remained practically unaffected.
The County of London (Scabies) Regulations, 1943, which came into operation
on the 1st August, 1943, require the notification of cases of scabies by medical
practitioners, subject to certain exceptions. 245 cases were notified.
The number of persons treated (including scabies contacts), and the number
of treatments given at the cleansing stations, were as follows:—