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48
MUNICIPAL LABORATORY.
The following work was carried out during the year:—
Total. Positive. Negative. Medical Health
Practitioners. Dept.
Diphtheria Swabs 3,119 294 2,825 1,487 1,632
The number of swabs examined during the previous year was
3,936.
In view of the number of Diphtheria swabs which were found
to give negative results after 24 hours incubation and positive
results after 48 hours, it was decided, in October, 1931, to incubate
all specimens for the longer period.
If. after 48 hours incubation, the specimen shows the presence
of Klebs Loeffier Bacillus, a corrected report is sent immediately.
The results have more than justified the additional work
involved.
During 1931 a total of 5,770 culture media were made by
Mr. West, the Laboratory Assistant, as compared with 7,840
during 1930.
In addition to Diphtheria swabs, the following specimens were
also examined:—
Urine, 97; Ringworm, 4; Tuberculosis, 1; Gonococcus, 1.
The Essex County Council also provide facilities for examination
of pathological specimens and the County Medical Officer
states that 1,161 specimens were examined for local Practitioners
during 1931 as follows:—
Diphtheria Swabs, 213; Sputa, 749; Typhoid Specimens,
144; Ringworm Specimens, 33; Miscellaneous Specimens,
22; Total, 1,161.
The total of the previous year was 882.
(A) SMALLPOX.
A total of 67 cases were notified during 1931 and of these
31 occurred during January and February in several different
portions of the Borough and suggesting spread by Christmas
festivities. Thirty-four cases were notified by private Practitioners
and 33 by the Staff of the Public Health Department. In particular,
there were during these months, two definite series of
cases originating from Winns Avenue Senior Girls' School and
Wood Street Junior Boys' School.
The first case from Winns Avenue School had attended there
while in an infectious condition between the 12th and 16th January