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Section B—Health Services.
Laboratory Facilities
Mr. D. D. Moir, 16, Southwark Street, S.E.1, is the Public Analyst
appointed by the Council to whom samples of food, drugs and water are
submitted. For the examination of specimens in cases of suspected food
poisoning and for the bacteriological examination of milk and water,
use is made of the Public Health Laboratory at Epsom. Routine laboratory
examinations in connection with infectious disease are carried out
by the Hospital Laboratory Service, chiefly at St. Helier Hospital.
The following examinations were made during the year:—
Throat Swabs 2
Rectal Swabs 5
Urine 1
Fæces Specimens 382
Water (Public Supply):
For chemical analysis 3
For bacteriological examination 4
Water (Swimming Bath):
For bacteriological examination 12
Food and Drugs:
Analysis 276
Bacteriological examination of milk 172
Bacteriological examination of ice cream 84
Bacteriological examination of other foods 1
Vaccination and Immunisation
Schemes for preventive inoculation against infectious disease are the
responsibility of the County Council under Section 26 of the National
Health Service Act. The diseases against which such prophylactic treatment
is provided are—smallpox, diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus,
poliomyelitis and tuberculosis. In the case of the four first mentioned
infections the arrangements are directed locally by the District Medical
Officers of Health by agreement between the Councils. Vaccination
against poliomyelitis and B.C.G. vaccination against tuberculosis is in the
hands of the Divisional Medical Officers.
Protection against yellow fever can be secured on payment at a
centre established in Kingston-on-Thames as part of the Ministry's
scheme which sets up a number of these special centres throughout the
country. Vaccination against tropical diseases other than smallpox are
not normally provided free under the National Health Service Act, but
can be obtained at the following centres:—
The London School of Tropical Medicine, St. Mary's Hospital,
Paddington (vaccination against yellow fever).
B.O.A.C., Airways House, Victoria, S.W.I (vaccination against
yellow fever).
The work done under the County Council's arrangements is given
in Section F.
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