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71
In January, 1929, the Minister of Health drew the attention
of Sanitary Authorities to the Memorandum on Influenza issued
in January, 1927, in which general sanction was given to Local
Authorities for medical assistance (including nursing) for the
poorer inhabitants of their districts suffering from this disease.
Although the etiology of influenza remains obscure and consequently
there is no specific prophylactic available yet, the
ravages of this disease can be lessened by the public carrying
out certain elementary precautions. The individual can reduce
his chance of contracting the disease by keeping up his general
bodily resistance, avoiding as far as possible badly ventilated
rooms and other places of resort where large numbers of people
congregate, and by spraying the nose and throat with a mild
antiseptic solution. Most important of all is the necessity of
immediate isolation as soon as symptoms of the disease appear.
Bacteriological Examinations.
The bacteriological examination of specimens was continued
to be conducted by Dr. Bousfield, pathologist, St. Giles' Hospital,
in the laboratory at the hospital. The following summary
furnishes in detail the number and the result of the specimens
submitted during the year.
The total number of specimens examined during the year was
4,446. The numbers respectively received and examined were:—
Swabs for Diphtheria 2,420 Positive 410 Percent, positive 16.9
Sputa for tubercle 1,968 „ 319 ,, ,, 16.2
Widal reactions 10 ,, 1 ,, „ 10 0
Faeces for typhoid 1 „ 0 „ ,, 0.0
Milks (Grade "A," etc.) 21
Ice Creams 2
Bath waters 13
Miscellaneous 11
Total specimens 4,446
The arrangements made for the examination of urgent specimens
at night or at holiday times at Dr. Bousfield's laboratory,
6 De Crespigny Park, were continued, and practitioners availed
themselves of these voluntary emergency facilities to a greater
extent than ever before. Over 200 specimens were dealt with in
this way when the hospital laboratory was closed. The immunisation
against diphtheria of the children in the scattered homes under
the control of the Board of Guardians has maintained the number
of swabs from that quarter at a minimum. The children have
remained free from diptheria.
Disinfection.
Returns of the work carried out at the Disinfecting Depot
and Cleansing Station appear on pages 74 and 75.