London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Beddington and Wallington 1942
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Beddington and Wallington]
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GENERAL PROVISION OF HEALTH SERVICES
FOR THE AREA.
LABORATORY FACILITIES.
There have been no changes in the arrangements for the examination of swabs, sputa and other pathological material: —
| Specimens examined | Totals. | Positive. | Negative. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diphtheria—Routine examinations. | |||
| Swabs for local practitioners | 81 | 1 | 80 |
| Tuberculosis—(Sputa) | 29 | 4 | 25 |
| Typhoid | 2 | — | 2 |
| Dysentry | 1 | — | 1 |
| Totals | 113 | 5 | 108 |
The Medical Officer of Health's laboratory in the Town Hall, commenced
in 1937, continues to fill a very important role in ensuring a
high standard of bacteriological purity in the milk and water supplies
of the district.
The scope of the routine work carried out is illustrated in the following table:—
| Samples. | Number Taken. |
|---|---|
| Water:— | |
| Bacteriological analyses | |
| Milk: — | |
| Bacteriological analyses | |
| Microscopical examinations | |
Specimens which cannot be examined adequately in the Council's
laboratory are sent to the Counties Public Health Laboratories, 91,
Queen Victoria Street, London, and some pathological specimens are
sent to the pathological laboratory of the Croydon General Hospital.
AMBULANCE FACILITIES.
General and Accident Gases. The new ambulance service provided
by the Council and operated from the Fire Station in Belmont Road
was transferred in January to premises in Milton Road. This transfer
was consequent upon the Fire Service being placed under National
control.
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