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97
LABORATORY FACILITIES.
The Chemical and Bacteriological laboratories are maintained by
the Council under the direct control of the Public Analyst who is a fulltime
officer. Chemical analyses are undertaken of all samples submitted
under the Food and Drug Acts and Regulations, together with any other
analytical work or investigations required.
Bacteriological examinations of Sputa for Tubercle, Swabs for
Diphtheria and Blood for the Widal reaction for Typhoid are made for
Medical Practitioners in the Borough and for the Tuberculosis
Dispensary.
BACTERIOLOGICAL SPECIMENS.
Number of specimens examined during 1931 2718
Positive results 381
FOOD AND DRUG SAMPLES.
1,977 samples of Foods and Drugs, both formal and informal, have
been examined during 1931.
Nearly all these samples have been tested for preservatives, as the
practice in the Public Analyst's department is to examine for preservatives
all articles of food which experience has shown are liable to contain
them.
Details of the above matters are given in full in the reports sent bv
the Public Analyst to the Ministry of Health in each quarter of the year.
CYRIL DICKINSON, B.Sc., F.I.C.,
Public Analyst.
TUBERCULOSIS SCHEMES.
The Borough Council has for some years carried out a scheme for
dealing with Tuberculosis, and the cases in Southwark are visited by
a staff of specially trained nurses from the Municipal Dispensary, which
also is a centre for the treatment of out-patients, and for the examination
of suspects or contacts. Through this dispensary also pass all cases who
are admitted and discharged from Hospital or Sanatoria. Arrangements
are made for the examination of Sputa, X-ray examination and treatment
by artificial pneumothorax or ultra-violet rays. The dispensary is under
the charge of a Clinical Tuberculosis Officer, who is a whole-time officer
of the Council.
All notifications from Medical Practitioners are recorded in the
Statutory Register which is kept in the Public Health Department.
The whole of the above work is under the supervision of the Medical
Officer of Health as Administrative Tuberculosis Officer.