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prefer to stay in their own homes and retain their independence despite
difficulties and hardships.
The close co-operation between the Hospital Authorities, local
doctors, the Divisional Welfare Officer and the several excellent voluntary
organisations in Wimbledon, who are of great assistance to the
Medical Officer of Health in dealing with this difficult problem, continues.
LABORATORY FACILITIES.
The Ministry of Health, Public Health Laboratory at Epsom is
available for the bacteriological examination of samples of milk, icecream
and water, swabs, sputum and other pathological specimens. In
addition the staff is always available to assist the Medical Officer of
Health in the investigation of any important outbreaks of disease.
The Laboratory at the Nelson Hospital, Merton, is also available
for the examination of pathological material, but in general, almost all
specimens submitted for examination from this Department are sent
to the Public Health Laboratory at Epsom.
The following is a summary of the examinations made during the
year:—
Nose and throat swabs 244
Faeces for the typhoid and dysentery groups 187
Ice-cream samples Ill
Milk samples 202
Water samples 46
Miscellaneous 16
Total 806
Samples of milk and water requiring chemical analysis are sent
by the Corporation to the Public Analyst.
MASS RADIOGRAPHY.
The Mass X-Ray Unit of the South West Metropolitan Regional
Hospital Board was stationed in South Wimbledon from 6th - 20th
March, 1956, and as in previous years, facilities were offered to all
persons over the age of 15 years for x-ray examination of the chest.
This examination is of great value in the early diagnosis and treatment
of pulmonary tuberculosis and other non-tuberculous abnormalities.
I am indebted to the Medical Director of the Mass Radiography
Unit for the following details of persons who attended for examination.
As the facilities were available to all, and were used by persons coming
from a wide area, the statistics do not necessarily relate to Wimbledon
residents only.
Number of persons examined:
Males 3,163
Females 3,836
6,999
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