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MORTUARY
During 1961, two hundred and four bodies were admitted and underwent
post mortem examination. Seventy three of the bodies were admitted from
hospitals, and sixteen from houses in other local authority areas
The year 1961 was the first year of operation of the New Mortuary and
the working conditions proved an agreeable change from those of the old
Mortuary.
The mortuary trolley proved difficult to operate and the possibility of
getting a hydraulic trolley was being considered at the end of the year,
LABORATORIES
The Public Health Laboratory, Epsom, served the Borough for
bacteriological examinations. Dr. D.R. Gamble took over the control of
this Laboratory during the year and has maintained an excellent service.
This service is supplemented by the use of the laboratories at Sutton and
Cheam Hospital and St. Helier Hospital.
Approximately one hundred and seventeen specimens connected with
infectious diseases were submitted to the laboratories during the year
CLINICS
Details of the clinics available in the district are given at the end of
this report. (Pages 55 and 56)
SANITARY CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE AREA
Water Supply. The water supply is mainly derived from the deep wells
in the chalk of the Sutton District Water Company situated at Sutton, Cheam
and Woodmansterne. A small area in the North Ward is supplied by the
Metropolitan Water Board.
The water from all the wells of the Sutton District Water Company is
softened to under nine degrees of hardness. A high dose of chlorine in
the form of chloramine is administered to the water as a protective measure
Most of it is removed later, leaving a small residual chloramine to pass
out to public distribution. The water is not liable to be plumbo-solvent.
Almost thirty-six gallons of water per person per day were supplied in
1961, of which just over seven gallons were supplied to trade, and almost
twenty nine gallons were used domestically. The amount of water used
during the year was a record, the previous highest consumption being in
1959.
In 1961 the rainfall was 2½ per cent. below the standard average for
the area
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