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Requests were again received from residents in the Borough
wishing to dispose of unwanted bedding and furniture. Generally,
this bedding and furniture was in a dirty and often in a verminous
condition, and bad formerly been used by persons removed to hospitals
or institutions, or deceased. In thirty-two instances such articles
were removed to and destroyed at the Plumstead Destructor, the number
of articles destroyed totalling 270. Of this total, 31 were mattresses,
20 bedsteads, 34 sets of bedding, 104 items of furniture and 81 other
sundry items,
Three residents requested Certificates of Disinfection to
accompany new clothing sent to friends and relatives abroad. The
clothing concerned was disinfected by the Department and certificates
were issued in each case.
A local laundry, which washes, cleanses, and sterilizes
rag wipers, requested the issue of Certificates of Hygiene to
accompany three consignments of wipers. The certificates were
granted in each case, small charges being made.
LABORATORY FACILITIES
A large part of the Council's pathological and allied work in
relation to the diagnosis, prevention and control of infectious diseases
is undertaken at the Southern Group Laboratory at the Park Hospital,
Lewisham. This service is provided by the Public Health Laboratory
Service on behalf of the Medical Research Council.

The examination of specimens of human origin (mainly swab
examinations) for the general practitioners in the Borough, and also
specimens referred to the hospital from local clinics, is undertaken
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