View report page

Laboratory Work
Specimens taken for bacteriological or chemical investigations, in connection particularly
with infectious disease cases, are brought daily to the Manor House and transported
to the Ealing Public Health Laboratory. The necessary investigations are carried
out and results reported simultaneously to the Medical Officer of Health and to the doctor
who has submitted the specimen from one of his patients. Details of the work carried
out in 1961 are as follow:—
Faeces specimens 204
Sputum specimens 5
Blood specimens 20
Urine specimens 49
Swabs (nose, throat and vaginal) 36
Disinfection and Disinfestation
In cases of infectious disease, rooms, clothing, etc., were disinfected—-rooms by sealing
and fumigating with a formalin preparation; clothing, bedding and other infected articles
remaining in the room for disinfection.
Lists of premises, articles, etc., disinfected during the year:—
Rooms 4 Books 56
Beds 19 Eiderdowns 20
Blankets 40 Pillows 28
Sheets 44
Lists of premises disinfested from vermin during the year:—
Bug infestation 28 rooms with beds and bedding
Flea infestation 17 rooms
Cockroach infestation 15 rooms
In addition, 16 wasps nests were destroyed.
Smallpox Disinfection
In the event of smallpox occurring within the district and disinfection being required
on a considerable scale, arrangements have been made whereby this could be carried out.
An agreement was made with the North-West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board
whereby in such an event the staff of St. John's Hospital, Uxbridge, would carry out this
work.
Provision of Antitoxin and Vaccine Lymph
The Council provides diphtheria antitoxin free to local practitioners in the district.
This antitoxin is obtainable from the Public Health Department during office hours and
by direct request to the Medical Officer of Health at other times. In the event of emergency
supplies of vaccine lymph being required, they are obtainable at very short notice.
Scabies and Lice
During 1961, one case of infestation with scabies and one of pediculosis capitis and
one of pediculosis corporis were brought to the Public Health Department for cleansing.
Baths and treatment were arranged at Hammersmith Cleansing Station by courtesy of
Hammersmith Borough Council.
Details of head inspections in schools are to be found in Table X page 61.
20