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96
INFECTIVE JAUNDICE
The Public Health Act 1936 empowers the Minister of Health to make
regulations relating to the notification of infectious diseases and the
prevention of their spread. On the 29th May the Jaundice Regulations
1943 were revoked and new provisions made which came into operation on
the 15th June, 1968.
Previously there had been a growing medical opinion that Infective
Jaundice should be generally notifiable and this was already the case
throughout 8 counties, 4 county boroughs and 80 other local authority
areas. The Minister felt that general notification would assist medical
officers of health to obtain more precise information as to the ways and
means whereby the infection was being spread. In turn this could possibly
indicate suitable control measures.
The authority was asked to inform all doctors practising in the area
the reasons why Infective Jaundice was being made notifiable and,
subsequent to this, during the remainder of the year there were 10 such
notifications.
Laboratory Facilities
The examination of clinical material of public health significance is
carried out by the Public Health Laboratory, Neasden Hospital, Brentfield
Road, London N.W. 10 (Telephone: 459-1422). The routine work of the
service is essentially bacteriological, virological and epidemiological.
Routine specimens fall under two main headings:
(a) "Medical" specimens received from medical practitioners, infectious
diseases hospitals and local authorities. These are specimens of faeces,
throat swabs, blood samples, etc., taken for diagnostic examination from
persons suspected of suffering from infectious disease.
(b) "Sanitary" specimens received from medical officers of health, public
health inspectors, and others concerned officially with the control of public
health. They comprise specimens for bacteriological examination of water,
shell-fish, milk, cream, sewage, etc., processed foods such as ice-cream,
artificial cream and canned foods, imported products such as meat, fish
coconut and fertiliser.
Epidemiological work includes the investigation of outbreaks of
infectious disease in co-operation with health departments.