View report page

Chest Clinics.
There are two Chest Clinics in the Borough, at Maxey Road, Plumstead, and
Carnecke Gardens, Eltham, the administration of which is now carried out by the
Regional Hospital Board.
Puerperal Pyrexia.
Regulations issued during 1951 make a slight modification to the definition of
this disease in order to maintain the effectiveness of existing legislation in view of
modern advances in treatment. Local authorities remain responsible for investigating
the causation and course of outbreaks of infection.
International Certificates of Vaccination and Inoculation.
Arrangements continued during the year for the authentication by the Medical
Officer of Health of international certificates of vaccination and inoculation completed
by local medical practitioners. These certificates are required by passengers
proceeding abroad from this country, and the purpose of the authentication is to
provide proof to those health authorities abroad who desire it, that the signature
of the person issuing the certificate is that of a registered medical practitioner known
to the Medical Officer of Health. During the year a large number of such certificates
was authenticated by me.
Disinfection and Disinfestation.
The Council's Disinfecting Station is situated at White Hart Road, Plumstead,
where there are installed two Washington-Lyon steam disinfectors, one
steam washing machine and a room for disinfecting articles which cannot be subjected
to heat. Infected articles of bedding, clothing, etc., and articles infested
with bugs, are disinfected at the station, but personal clothing of persons treated
at the two Cleansing Stations is disinfected at these two stations.
During 1951, the Department carried out disinfection of 397 rooms after cases
of infectious disease, and of these, 105 premises had been occupied by tuberculous
persons. Some 2,454 inspections regarding verminous conditions were made and
712 rooms were disinfested for vermin. Fifty-one vanloads of furniture were fumigated
during the year.
The number of articles disinfected at the Disinfection Station was 15,003,
details of the type and number of articles disinfected there being as follows
Beds 198
Palliasses 828
Pillows 1,453
Bolsters 156
Quilts 370
Sheets 566
Blankets 1,354
Curtains 16
Carpets 6
Rugs 15
Books 269
Bags 111
Wearing apparel 8,090
Boots 12
Slippers 8
Toys 140
Cushions 103
Sundries 1,308
41