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7
Public Mortuary.
During the year 102 bodies were brought into the mortuary. Sixty-one post-mortem
examinations were made, and 44 inquests were held.
SECTION B.
GENERAL PROVISION OF HEALTH SERVICES.
Laboratory Facilities.
The arrangement whereby the bacteriological examination of specimens has been carried
out at the Pathological Department at Richmond Hospital has worked in an entirely satisfactory
manner. Delay in receiving reports, consequent on retention of specimens in the post, has been
eliminated. The majority of the specimens sent were from cases of suspected diphtheria,
but the facilities for the diagnosis of tuberculosis and typhoid fever were also used to a considerable
extent. Laboratory examinations of specimens of venereal diseases were carried out at the West
London Hospital, Hammersmith, under the arrangement made by the Middlesex County Council.
Ambulance Service.
The two motor ambulance vehicles continued in use throughout the year. The ambulances
are maintained and staffed by the fire brigade, and the service both in reference to the removal
of patients and the maintenance of the vehicles has been entirely satisfactory. Following is a

The striking increase in the use of the ambulance both for the collection of casualties and
the removal of patients is shown in the above table.
The casualty calls again amounted to approximately fifty per cent, of the total calls.
Nursing in the Home.
General. The Nurses of the Twickenham Nursing Association continued the home itursing
of persons who were suffering from those diseases for the nursing of which the Council is able
to make provision. Three whole-time nurses are now employed. The Council contributed £100
to the Association for these services.
From the monthly returns received, the following visits were recorded as paid to patients
who came under the Council's schemed—
Visits paid to patients under 5 years, 814 ; over 5 years, 331.
Total visits paid, 1,145.
Nursing of Infectious Cases. Cases of Pneumonia, Whooping Cough and Ophthalmia
Neonatorum, were nursed in their own homes. Provision for home nursing of cases of puerperal
fever was not required during the year.
Midwives.
The number of Midwives who declared their intention of practising in the district during
the year was 17.
Applications were received for assistance in providing the services of a midwife from
30 necessitous women who desired to be confined in their own homes, and 27 were granted.
Home Helps.
The services of a home help were granted in one case. The home helps assist in the
domestic duties of the homes during the time that the mother is incapacitated on account of her
confinement or some complication of pregnancy. No whole-time home help has been appointed,
but the patient is allowed to select her own help, provided the person selected is not a relative,
and the selection is approved by the Medical Officer.