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26
Many of the samples submitted are throat swabs which are examinee
for the presence of organisms of diphtheria or of the haemolytic strepto
coccus. Another group of samples is of dejecta for the presence o:
organisms of the typhoid fever, dysentery or food poisoning group
Specimens of sputa are submitted for examination for the presence of
tubercle bacillus. Blood serum is sent for examination of the reactior
indicating the infection of the body by the typhoid group. Cough
plates are examined for the presence of the organisms of whooping cough
In general the examination is carried out of material which will be of aid
in the early diagnosis of infectious conditions, one purpose of the
laboratory being to carry out investigations of public health significance.
The laboratory also carries out the routine bacteriological examination
of such foods as milk or ice-cream, and examines other foodstuff
considered possibly to have been the source of food poisoning. The
staff of the laboratory also carry out investigations in the field in the
case of various forms of outbreak, however spread.
Another service provided by the laboratory is the issue of certain
preparations such as lymph for vaccination against smallpox, and antigens
for the immunisation of the population against diphtheria.
The clinical material is collected each day by a van from the laboratory
calling about mid-day at the Harrow Hospital, " Kynaston Court," and
the Central Fire Station, Pinner.
The following is a summary of the examinations of material from
this district, carried out during the year: nose and throat swabs 115,
faeces 426, sputum 28, miscellaneous 11.
AMBULANCE SERVICE
Although the County Council decided that the Fire and Ambulance
Service should be run as one combined service, the combination of the
two services is limited to organisation and administration. Fire appliances
are manned by firemen especially enrolled and trained for that
purpose, and ambulances are manned by ambulance driver/attendants
and attendants.
Ambulances specially equipped to deal with accidents and similar
emergencies are kept at 28 fire stations throughout the county. These
ambulances and their crews, who are trained in first-aid, are always
ready to respond immediately to accident and emergency calls.
The County Council development plan provides for the building of
ten ambulance depots at various places throughout the county. All
ambulances and sitting case vehicles are to be housed in these depots
which will cater for the needs of the surrounding districts. They would
also assist in accident work in an emergency. One of these buildings is
in this district at Imperial Drive (Tel. No. Pinner 8900).
The hospital car service, operated jointly by the British Red Cross
Society, the St. John Ambulance Association and the Women's Voluntary
Services, provides cars and drivers, who give their services voluntarily
and by arrangement with the County Council takes many patients to and
from hospitals and clinics.