View report page

62
The total number of Diphtheria specimens compares with 3.119
in 1931.
The following specimens were also examined:—
Urine, 214; Ringworm, 3; Blood, 1; Miscellaneous, 4;
Total, 222, as compared with 103 in 1931.
A total of 8,404 tubes of culture media were made by Mr. West
and of these 4,032 were sent to the Sanatorium.
The practice of re-examining swabs after incubation for a
second night, which was begun in October, 1931, was continued
during 1932 with the result shown above. The fact that 129 or
29.6 of the total would have been missed but for the re-incubation
demonstrates the usefulness of the additional care.
The Essex County Council also provide facilities for examination
of pathological specimens and the County Medical Officer states
that 891 specimens were examined for local Practitioners during
1932 as follows:—
Diphtheria Swabs, 101; Sputa, 703; Typhoid Specimens,
36; Ringworm Specimens, 24; Miscellaneous Specimens, 27.
The total of the previous year was 1,161.
SMALLPOX.
Ten cases of Smallpox were notified during 1932, in marked
contrast with the 67 cases during 1931 and the 189 in 1930.