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Section 50 (Burial and Cremation of the Dead)
Two burials were arranged under the powers granted to the Council by
this Section.
MORTUARY
During 1962, two hundred and twenty three bodies were admitted and
underwent post mortem examination. Seventy seven of the bodies were
admitted from hospitals, and thirty nine from other local authority areas.
The mortuary duties imposed some strain on the (shared) cemetery
staff during the year. Consideration was given to the appointment of a
full time attendant, but no decision to employ such a person at present
was taken during the year It had been proposed to build a house for this
attendant near the mortuary, but this was then deferred for a year.
A new hydraulic mortuary trolley was received in September and proved
much simpler in operation.
LABORATORIES
The Public Health Laboratory Epsom served the Borough for
bacteriological examinations. This service is supplemented by the use of
the laboratories at Sutton and Cheam Hospital and St. Helier Hospital.
Approximately one hundred and eighty nine 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 53 and 54)
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.
Samples of the raw and treated waters are examined daily by the
laboratory at the Sutton Works. Samples are also examined at monthly
intervals by the Company's Consultant Analyst, and copies of his reports
are received. Twenty four bacteriological and twelve chemical samples
are taken annually by the. five District Councils in the area of supply
(two bacteriological and one chemical per month in rotation) All samples
were satisfactory.
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